Cricket Australia have released the dates for the nation’s first tour of South Africa in eight years following the sandpaper scandal that rocked the country. Australia will play South Africa in three One Day Internationals in September before starting a three-match Test series in October.
The final Test match will be in Newlands, which is the scene of the infamous sandpaper scandal that rocked Australian cricket back in 2018. Cameron Bancroft was handed a nine-month suspension by Cricket Australia for his role in the incident, while captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner were stripped of their leadership titles and given year-long bans for their role in the drama.
Pat Cummins and his men will play South Africa in a three match Test series for the first time in eight years on tour. (Images: Getty Images)
Australia hasn’t played a Test in South Africa since, but will be returning to take on the World Test Championship winners in their backyard. Warner has retired from international cricket and won’t be returning to Newlands.
However, Smith will be heading back to a ground that saw him lose his Test captaincy. This time, Pat Cummins will lead Australia against the WTC winners. Australia lost the WTC final to South Africa last year. And operations manager Peter Roach is aware there will be plenty of excitement when Australia tours one of the best teams in the world.
Cameron Bancroft was caught tampering with the ball in South Africa in 2018.
(Gallo Images via Getty Images)
“South Africa has enjoyed excellent recent form in all formats and the clash between the teams that contested the last World Cricket Championship final will be particularly compelling,” said in a Cricket Australia release. “We’re grateful to Cricket South Africa for their collaboration on this schedule for what should be a hugely entertaining tour.”
South Africa have significantly reduced the number of Test matches they host in recent years with financial constraints making it harder. The SAT20 competition has dominated the domestic front during the summer.
Australia looking at WTC standings
The series could have a huge impact on the WTC standings for the following year’s final. Australia are currently leading the table with seven wins in eight matches. Australia defeated the West Indies 3-0, before defeating England in the Ashes 4-1.
However, they play South Africa in a tough three-match series before playing New Zealand at home. They then travel to India. Australia hasn’t won a series in India since 2004.
Australia will host Bangladesh ahead of the South Africa series. Australia are currently dealing with a number of significant injuries to key players, which kept them out of the T20 World Cup. Cummins withdrew from the tournament after playing just the one Test match in the Ashes series. While Josh Hazlewood is still recovering from his leg injury. Nathan Lyon also injured his hamstring during the SCG Test and will be looking to get game time in against Bangladesh, before the tour of South Africa.
Test tour of South Africa dates:
First Test: October 18-22, St George’s Park, Gqeberha
Second Test: October 18-22, St George’s Park, Gqeberha
Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town