England’s limited-overs tour of South Africa next summer is under threat amid a clash with the SA20.
As things stand, England are scheduled to tour for a rare full series featuring three Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is. The red-ball leg, pencilled in from mid-December to 7 January, is close to being finalised.
However, The Guardian reports that the white-ball portion that follows has become complicated due to a direct overlap with the SA20, which runs from 9 January to 14 February.
The limited-overs matches are seen as a key dress rehearsal ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which South Africa will co-host. For both teams, the series would provide valuable preparation in local conditions.
But the clash with the SA20 – now firmly entrenched in the South African calendar – has left CSA searching for a workaround.
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South Africa’s leading players are contracted to their SA20 franchises, and there is currently no mechanism in place to release them for international duty during the tournament window.
The Guardian claims that CSA proposed splitting the tour and moving the white-ball matches to February, after the SA20 concludes. However, the ECB is understood to have rejected that option, with England already committed to a two-Test tour of Bangladesh during that period.
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