Ireland is all set to host South Africa for a historic full limited-overs series for the first time in July 2021. The three ODIs and as many T20Is are scheduled to be played between July 11-25 and the one-dayers will be part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League (CWCSL). The games will be played in Malahide and Stormont. This is the first time South Africa is touring Ireland for more than one game since 2007.
CSA Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith was elated after the series with Ireland was confirmed after talks with Cricket Ireland. The state of cricket in the Protean nation has taken a hit after Australia pulled out of a proposed tour to South Africa. The postponement of the series has disrupted their cricket calendar.
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Cricket South Africa Director Graeme Smith Thanks Cricket Ireland
“We are extremely pleased to have finalised the dates as quickly as we have and for that we would like to thank Cricket Ireland for their cooperation and willingness to adapt the tour schedule as we continue to finalize our winter programme,” said Smith.
Meanwhile, Cricket Ireland is also pleased to be finally playing some cricket in these COVID times. Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland spoke about the importance of this tour.
“We look forward to the season ahead and thank our touring opponents for working with us on this restructured season. For our senior men, there are six World Cup Super League matches included in the schedule, in which we welcome back South Africa who last played here 14 years ago.”
South Africa recently played in Pakistan after a long gap of 14 years. The tour, however, was one to forget as they lost both the Test and the T20Is series. They lost the two-match Test series and also the three-match T20I series as teams are focusing on the shortest format of the game keeping in mind the World T20 later this year in India.
The Proteas have played and beaten Ireland in five ODIs over the years, including meetings at the 2007, 2011 and 2015 ICC Cricket World Cups. Their last showdown was during a one-match tour to South Africa by the Irish in 2016.
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