South Africa withdraw from ODI series vs Australia as dates clash with new T20 league

Jul 13, 2022

South Africa withdraw from ODI series vs Australia as dates clash with new T20 league Image

The three-match One-day International series against Australia in January of 2023 has been cancelled by Cricket South Africa (CSA), who claim that it conflicts with their upcoming franchise T20 league. 

The men's team won't be participating in the ODI series against Australia in January 2023, according to Cricket South Africa (CSA), in order to maintain the "long term sustainability of the new T20 League." 

The ICC World Cup Super League matches, which determine direct qualifying for the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup in India, included the three one-day internationals versus Australia. The 2020 season of the show was originally planned. However, the Covid-19 epidemic necessitated its delay.

According to cricket.com.au, Cricket Australia (CA), Australia's cricket governing body, announced on Wednesday that they had been unable to find alternate dates to reschedule the series. CSA had previously requested that CA "reconsider the dates" of the three games that were initially scheduled between January 12-17. 

The series' cancellation is a significant blow to South Africa's ambitions of advancing directly to the ODI World Cup in India in 2019. However, it is said to free up a number of prominent Australia Test players so they can play in the Big Bash League (BBL).

With 49 points and now ranked 11th in the ICC ODI team rankings, SA's withdrawal from the series, which is a part of the Super League, will significantly harm their prospects of earning a straight entry ticket to the World Cup in India. 

"The Proteas have effectively forfeited the series, with CSA accepting that the 30 competition points on offer will be awarded to Australia, pending ICC permission, because the matches won't be played before the qualification cut-off date in May (2023)." 

The top eight teams from the 12 ICC full member nations, as well as the Netherlands, will advance directly to the 50-over World Cup, while the remaining five teams will compete in a playoff against the five Associate sides for the remaining two WC slots

Even though South Africa has ODI matches scheduled against the world champions England and India before the end of May, it will be challenging to move up from the bottom five teams in the Super League standings. 

With 70 points, Australia presently holds the sixth position (12 matches). Due to the fact that it was not a Super League match, Australia's recent 2-3 ODI series loss to Sri Lanka will not have any impact on the status of their points. 

The men's T20 World Cup, which is being hosted by Australia in October and November, is among the international events that have been postponed due to the epidemic. According to CA, there are no other dates available to play the series.

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