The New Year’s Test between South Africa and India could be played in Johannesburg and not Cape Town.
CSA confirmed on Saturday that the tour would proceed with three Tests and three ODIs despite the emergence of a new Covid-19 variant. However, the four-match T20I series has been postponed.
CSA board chairman Lawson Naidoo told Rapport newspaper that the first Test will no longer be played at the Wanderers from 17 December. Instead, it will take place at SuperSport Park in Centurion from 26 December.
“We are not yet sure of the terms for the next two Tests,” said Naidoo. “We also still need to clear up logistics and bio-bubbles. We hope to confirm this by Monday.”
Rapport understands that the second Test will be played at the Wanderers from 3 January, with the third Test at Newlands possibly starting on 11 January.
The three ODIs will be played in the Western Cape. It is unclear whether Boland Park in Paarl will host any matches, as originally planned, or if all three will be at Newlands.
Rapport also revealed that the tour was saved at a marathon six-hour meeting on Friday morning.
CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith’s good relationship with Sourav Ganguly, the president of the BCCI, and Jay Shah, secretary of the BCCI, reportedly played a huge role in ensuring the tour went ahead.
