With Protea red-ball cricket matches as rare as hen’s teeth these days, at least there is a short Test series against New Zealand to look forward to.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed this week that the South Africans will play two Tests against the Kiwis away from home in early 2024.
The Proteas currently occupy fourth place on the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) test rankings and a few players have already complained about the few entries on the team’s red-ball cricket calendar.
“The upcoming tour to New Zealand is an excellent opportunity for the team members to test themselves in conditions away from home in the new round of the World Test Championship,” said Pholetsi Moseki, KSA’s CEO.
TEST TOUR ALERT ????
We’re heading to Aotearoa ????
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????️ 4 – 17 February 2024#SummerOfCricket #NZvSA #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/eHK4C0ST3o— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 17, 2023
South Africa fought back well in its previous away series against the Blackcaps after Matt Henry ran amok in the first test at the Hagley Stadium in Christchurch.
The Kiwi fast bowler took nine wickets in the match and the Proteas were bowled out for 95 and 111 in their two innings.
However, Sarel Erwee and Kyle Verreynne’s hundreds in the subsequent matches ensured that the Proteas were able to win the second Test by 198 runs to force a draw series result.
- Protea Tour to New Zealand:
4 to 8 February 2024: First Test at the Bay Oval
13 to 17 February 2024: Second Test at Seddon Park.
