Senwes Park ,Potchefstroom has only hosted one Test previously, against Bangladesh in 2002 © Getty Images
Bangladesh will tour South Africa for the first time in nine years to open what is set to be a bumper 2017-18 summer, although their opponents for the festive season are yet to be confirmed. South Africa will host at least 10 Tests, including four each against India and Australia. Details of those tours are expected early in the new year.
The Bangladesh visit, between September and October 2017, has created the opportunity for Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom to host their first Tests since 2008 and 2002 respectively. The two venues had also hosted Bangladesh in those years but have not hosted matches in the longest format since.
Bangladesh’s tour includes two Tests, three ODIs – all day-games – and two T20s. All matches will be played at South Africa’s lower-profile grounds. Kimberley, Paarl and East London are the other three venues hosting matches.
After the Bangladesh series, South Africa are scheduled to host India for a full tour comprising four Tests, five ODIs and three T20s but it is yet to be confirmed whether these will take place over the Christmas and New Year period or later in the summer. The FTP originally had Sri Lanka down to tour over Boxing Day and New Year, for the second season in succession, but there has been no mention of whether that series will take place. There was also a suggestion that Pakistan could be invited. According to the FTP, Pakistan are scheduled to play India in November-December 2017.
“Our scheduling discussions with the BCCI are in progress and we hope to be in a position to announce the fixtures for this tour in the new year,” Haroon Lorgat, CSA CEO said.
India’s previous visit to South Africa was in 2013-14, when they cut short a tour that was due to be of the same length as the upcoming one because of disagreements over the scheduling. India only played two Tests and three ODIs on that visit but hosted South Africa for four Tests, five ODIs and three T20s late in 2015.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo