New FTP schedule not too demanding for Proteas
South Africa will play a total of 113 international matches
in a busy 2023-27 ICC Men’s Future Tour Program which was confirmed on
Wednesday.
This will see the Proteas play the third least matches on the schedule ahead of Zimbabwe and Ireland.
The Proteas will play 16 tests, 17 ODI’s and 18 T20I’s while Bangladesh will play most cricket in that period with 150 matches.
The exact dates of the matches on the calendar are unconfirmed.
South Africa have confirmed that they will not play the ODI series in Australia in December and January due to the launch of the T20 competition while a home white ball series against England also falls in that window.
The confirmation of the FTP period leaves speculation over how the Proteas will deal with their T20 competition and the significant incoming tour against India in January 2024.
“The landscape around the game is continuing to evolve and we will work closely with Members as we collectively adapt to that,” the ICC General Manager of Cricket Wasim Khan said in a statement released by the ICC.
“We are committed to growing the game and giving more fans more opportunities to enjoy cricket but are very mindful of the need to balance that ambition with the welfare of players.”
Despite the possible speculation, Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki expressed gratitude to the ICC in a statement.
“CSA is grateful to the ICC for pursuing the FTP programme as a flagship for enhancing the game on many levels and the global linkages it fosters,” he said.
“It is testament of ICC commitment to changing lives and livelihoods through cricket.”
SA will host England in January 2023 for a three match ODI series before they welcome Australia in August-September 2023 for a limited overs tour comprising of five One Day Internationals (ODI’s) and three T20’s.
The 2023-25 World Test Championship will see SA host India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and travel away to face Bangladesh, New Zealand and West Indies.
They play Bangladesh, Australia and England in the 2025-27 WTC at home while playing India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka away.
