Australia, South Africa to feature in ODI series in the Caribbean
ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — The Caribbean will play host to a three-nation One-Day International tournament involving two of the world’s leading teams next June, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced last Friday.
Hosts West Indies will square-off with reigning One-Day World champions Australia and current World number three South Africa in a 10-match tournament over a three-week period from Wednesday, June 6 to June 26 next year.
“This tournament promises to be very exciting with two of the world’s top teams coming to the Caribbean,” said WICB manager, Cricket Operations Roland Holder.
“It will provide a golden opportunity for our team to test themselves against two of the best sides in the world in the ODI format.”
The tournament opens with round-robin matches contested at the Guyana National Stadium.
Teams will then travel to Basseterre in St Kitts for another series of matches at Warner Park, with the series moving to the Barbados capital of Bridgetown for the final round of matches at Kensington Oval, culminating with the final.
“Australia won the ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil earlier this year and South Africa are highly ranked in this format, but are also the number one side in Tests,” said Holder.
“These two sides have shared some fascinating rivalries not only in the ODI, but other formats of the international game in recent years.”
WICB officials say they expect the tournament to attract packed venues since the event provides a rare chance for fans in the region with a ringside seat to strong cricket rivalry.
MATCH SCHEDULE
June
Wed 6 Australia vs South Africa – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana
Fri 8 West Indies vs South Africa – Guyana National Stadium
Sun 10 West Indies vs Australia – Guyana National Stadium
Mon 13 South Africa vs Australia – Warner Park, St. Kitts
Wed 15 West Indies vs South Africa – Warner Park
Fri 17 West Indies vs Australia – Warner Park
Mon 20 Australia vs South Africa – Kensington Oval, Barbados
Wed 22 West Indies vs South Africa – Kensington Oval
Fri 24 West Indies vs Australia – Kensington Oval
Sun 26 The Final – Kensington Oval