CSA Revises India Women’s Tour Schedule, Adds Three T20Is Ahead of Champions Trophy

Cricket South Africa has expanded India’s upcoming tour of the country, adding three T20Is to the fixture list as part of a revised schedule announced on Thursday. The move is designed to provide both sides with crucial white-ball preparation ahead of the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka next February.

The tour, which was initially set to feature a three-match ODI series followed by a one-off Test, will now commence with the longer format. The schedule has been reordered, with the Test moved forward to December 12 at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha.

The teams will then transition to the white-ball leg, beginning with three ODIs in Paarl, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. The newly added T20Is will form the final phase of the tour, starting with a Boxing Day fixture at Willowmoore Park in Benoni. The last two matches are scheduled on consecutive days, December 29 and 30, at the NWC Oval in Potchefstroom.

Eye on the Champions Trophy

CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki confirmed that the addition of the T20Is is directly linked to the Champions Trophy, which will be hosted by Sri Lanka early next year.

“We are delighted to confirm the revised schedule for India’s tour of South Africa, with the addition of the T20 International series over the festive period, ensuring our Proteas Women have the best possible preparation ahead of the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka early next year,” Moseki said.

“India remain one of the strongest teams in world cricket, and the opportunity to compete against them across all three formats will provide invaluable competition as we continue building towards another major ICC event,” he added.

Recent Form and Context

India’s recent record against South Africa in the shortest format offers context for the series. Earlier this year, India toured South Africa for a five-match T20I series in April, losing 4-1. The two sides also met in the T20 World Cup in Manchester, where South Africa emerged victorious before India exited in the group stage. South Africa’s campaign ended with a semifinal defeat to eventual runners-up England.

The revised schedule now offers India an opportunity to address that recent record across all three formats. The tour is also significant for the hosts, who will be looking to build momentum ahead of a home Champions Trophy campaign.

Revised Schedule

• One-off Test: December 12-15, St. George’s Park, Gqeberha (10 AM local)
• 1st ODI: December 16, Boland Park, Paarl (10 AM local)
• 2nd ODI: December 19, Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town (2 PM local)
• 3rd ODI: December 22, Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein (2 PM local)
• 1st T20I: December 26, Willowmoore Park, Benoni (6 PM local)
• 2nd T20I: December 29, NWC Oval, Potchefstroom (6 PM local)
• 3rd T20I: December 30, NWC Oval, Potchefstroom (6 PM local)

                                               

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