Australia confirmed for four Tests in SA in 2018

[Marius]

SA to host Australia for rare four-Test series

Tour fixtures

22-24 Feb 2018: Tour match: SA Invitation XI v Australia, Benoni

01-05 Mar: 1st Test, Durban

09-13 Mar: 2nd Test, Port Elizabeth

22-26 Mar: 3rd Test, Cape Town

30 Mar-3 Apr: 4th Test, Johannesburg

South Africa will host Australia in March-April 2018 for the first four-Test series between the two countries since readmission. The tour comes at the conclusion of a 2017-18 home season that is set to be South Africa's busiest, including at least ten Tests.

The Tests will take place in Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Johannesburg, venues that have all hosted Australia before. There is a nine day gap between the second and third Tests, and the final Test, at the Wanderers, takes place over Easter weekend.

Australia's last tour to South Africa was in 2013-14 when Australia won the series 2-1 and Graeme Smith retired from international cricket. The teams have since met in ODIs in South Africa in 2015 and Tests in Australia in 2016-17. Although South Africa have won their last three series in Australia, they have never beaten them in a series at home and there's a further incentive for them to do so, as the No.1 ranking could be on the line.

"Test match cricket between Australia and South Africa has always produced epic battles and brought out high-class individual performances that have become part of the annals of the game. Australia are currently the No. 2 ranked team on the ICC Test table and we will need to beat them and India to regain our place at the top of the table," Haroon Lorgat, the CSA CEO, said. "With this series being played straight after the tour by India our Proteas and fans can look forward to what will be one of the most challenging seasons of Test match cricket we have ever witnessed in South Africa."

Before Australia tour, South Africa will host Bangladesh for two Tests, in Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom, and India for four, although the dates and venues have yet to be announced. It is understood that South Africa are hopeful India will agree to tour over the festive period in December-January.

South Africa to host Australia for rare four-Test series in March-April 2018 | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo

This is great news, can't wait. Next season is going to be awesome. But I agree with people in the comments who say Centurion should have got a Test rather than Durban.

 

[SeamUp]

I think it may be strategic for 3 coastal venues v Australia. Australia could be pretty dangerous at Centurion.

India was always getting Durban.

It did seem Centurion had over taken Durban as the third venue from an outside view though.

 

[StephenZA]

Yay!

 

[Marius]

I think it may be strategic for 3 coastal venues v Australia. Australia could be pretty dangerous at Centurion.

India was always getting Durban.

It did seem Centurion had over taken Durban as the third venue from an outside view though.

It'll be interesting to see the fixtures for India, Wanderers and Newlands will each definitely get a Test meaning that they'll have two Tests in the season (Durban too probably).

Think PE should keep the Boxing Day Test actually so I think a better fixture list would have been (assuming India comes over December):

Two Tests vs India at Wanderers and Centurion, with Boxing Day Test at PE and NY Test at Newlands.

Then 4 Tests vs Australia at CT, Jhb, Durban, and Centurion.

 

[vic_orthdox]

This is awesome. Should be a great series - SA to get their first home series win since readmission over Australia, but will Steyn, DeVilliers and Amla still all be there?

 

[Spark]

Oh nice.

 

[Gnske]

Great news!

 

[OverratedSanity]

First India with 4 tests and now Australia too? This is awesome.

Long live the big 3. We've never had such long SA tours before.

 

[Spikey]

The tour comes at the conclusion of a 2017-18 home season that is set to be South Africa's busiest, including at least ten Tests.

5 years too late you arseholes

 

[Teuton]

That story seems pretty loose with the facts: apparently SA have never beaten Australia in SA!
How could the author not be aware of the 1970 tour?
Pollock's, Richards, Procter etc

 

[vic_orthdox]

Taking the "official" SA line that their Test history began in 1992?

 

[Marius]

That story seems pretty loose with the facts: apparently SA have never beaten Australia in SA!
How could the author not be aware of the 1970 tour?
Pollock's, Richards, Procter etc

Taking the "official" SA line that their Test history began in 1992?

Guys, guys, just look at who wrote it and everything will become clear.

 

[SeamUp]

It'll be interesting to see the fixtures for India, Wanderers and Newlands will each definitely get a Test meaning that they'll have two Tests in the season (Durban too probably).

Think PE should keep the Boxing Day Test actually so I think a better fixture list would have been (assuming India comes over December):

Two Tests vs India at Wanderers and Centurion, with Boxing Day Test at PE and NY Test at Newlands.

Then 4 Tests vs Australia at CT, Jhb, Durban, and Centurion.

With India coming over Christmas & new year then Durban was always going to get the Boxing Day test. It seems they rotating that position now with PE.

Another perceived issue would be the timing over the holiday season with two highveld tests ?

 

[vcs]

Australia and England will be playing for the Ashes during the India-SA series, right? The "best team in the world" discussions will be fun this time next year.

 

[Compton]

Definitely something to look forward to. Should be a cracking series.

 

[adub]

Now we just need 4 tests v SA in Australia. Would probably necessitate a late October test to get SA home by early Dec, but worth it. Certainly better use of the time than some meaningless ODIs. A late Oct D/N test at Manuka and we can have a 7 Test summer each year.

 

[Burgey]

What a great tour to go on, Jo'burg aside they're quality towns for the test venues.

 

[S.Kennedy]

Good news.

 

[Marius]

What a great tour to go on, Jo'burg aside they're quality towns for the test venues.

Are, are you crazy. Johannesburg is the best city in SA, maybe the world.

 

[adub]

Are, are you crazy. Johannesburg is the best city in SA, maybe the world.

If you're keen on being murdered.