India to start South Africa tour from December 26; CSA appreciates BCCI decision

Add as a preferred source on Google

Johannesburg, December 4: The Cricket South Africa on Saturday (December 4) expressed gratitude that India have decided to stick to their tour of South Africa despite worries over Omicron variant of Covid-19 that has been found in the Rainbow Nation.

The BCCI has announced that India will play three Tests and as many ODIs starting from December 26 in the away series, but the T20Is have been postponed to a later date.

"India's tour of South Africa, 2021-22, will proceed with the revised dates and itinerary. The team will participate in a three-match Test series followed by a three-match ODI series starting December 26," stated BCCI secretary Jay Shah.

Cricket South Africa appreciated BCCI's commitment to the series. "Cricket South Africa can confirm that the India Tour will continue as originally scheduled, with a few adjustment to the logistical arrangements, such as the arrival time of the India Team," the CSA said.

"...the tour is now confirmed and the arrival timings of the India team will be moved out by a week, to allow for effective logistical planning.

"...CSA is pleased to announce that this tour will also take place under the strictest COVID-19 guidelines," it added in a statement.

CSA also made it clear the venues will be picked considering the safety of the players.

"CSA is also pleased to confirm that the allocation of match venues will still be in respect of the Bubble Safe Environment (BSEs) and therefore the decision on the allocations will take into account the need for safer playing environments," it said.

"CSA has instituted these world class standards and measures to ensure that all players, staff and officials are protected within this environment.

"CSA's main focus is to safeguard the cricket biosphere by managing strict entry standards and limited movement outside of its cordon."

South Africa's discovery of the Omicron variant has caused much trepidation as cases have soared in the country. The number of new cases in South Africa has zoomed from close to 200 a day in mid-November to over 16,000 on Friday.

The Netherlands tour of the Rainbow Nation also had to be abandoned after the emergence of the new variant triggered panic all around the world with many countries imposing travel bans on the country.

CSA also had to postpone its domestic fixtures after some of the players tested positive for the virus on arrival.

However, the India A squad stayed on in South Africa raising hopes that the subsequent senior tour will go ahead. India also did not ban flights from South Africa though it put the nation in the "at risk" category.

The India tour not taking place would have caused massive financial damage to the CSA.

Acting CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki thanked his BCCI counterparts for their support in these trying times.

"I would like to thank both the leadership of Cricket South Africa, as well as the leadership of the BCCI for working so tirelessly to make this tour a reality.

"Even under the most uncertain times, the Boards kept the light of hope alive and kept us anticipating that this tour will indeed take place.

"For us as CSA it is always a meeting of old friends when the Proteas take on India, but we will still present the fans with a compelling proposition and a great spectacle to watch," said Moseki.