Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced an exciting cricket series as the South Africa women's team prepares to host New Zealand for a thrilling encounter of three ODIs and five T20Is. The matches will be played across five cities from September 24 to October 15, 2023, providing fans with an exciting display of cricketing talent.
The ODI series holds significant importance for both teams as it serves as a crucial part of the ICC Women's Championship 2022-25 qualification journey, leading up to the next 50-over World Cup scheduled to be held in India in 2025.
To commence the tour, a warm-up match between a New Zealand XI and a South Africa XI will take place at Willowmoore Park on September 21. This match will allow the visitors to acclimatize to the South African conditions before the official series kicks off. The ODIs will be held at Potchefstroom, Pietermaritzburg, and Durban on September 24, 28, and October 1, respectively.
"We are thrilled to welcome New Zealand for this highly anticipated tour and extend our warmest wishes to both teams. We eagerly look forward to witnessing some exhilarating cricket and wish them the best of luck," expressed Pholetsi Moseki, CSA Chief Executive. "It is an opportunity for our exceptional Proteas Women to once again showcase their skills, determination, and commitment to the game on home soil. We have full confidence that they will make the nation proud with their outstanding performances."
The third ODI, scheduled for October 1 in Durban, will be observed as Black Day to continue the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) and promote gender equality. Both teams will don black armbands and wear their respective black kits as a symbol of solidarity and support for this important cause.
"The ODI series, featuring the third chapter of Black Day, holds great importance for our team as they compete in the ICC Women's Championship, aiming to secure crucial points for qualification in the next 50-over World Cup," Moseki added. "The Black Day initiative exemplifies the devotion of CSA and the Proteas Women's team in using the platform of cricket to address vital social issues. The inclusion of the Black Day ODI adds a meaningful dimension to the series, shining a light on the transformative power of sports in advocating for positive change in society."
Buffalo Park in East London and Benoni's Willowmoore Park will host the T20I series from October 6-15, serving as crucial preparation for the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup set to be held in Bangladesh.
"The upcoming T20I series aligns with the countdown to the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, presenting an excellent opportunity for our team to fine-tune their strategies and build on their previous successes as they prepare for the global tournament. We anticipate thrilling encounters between two highly competitive teams and expect cricket fans to be treated to unforgettable moments," Moseki concluded.
In previous encounters, New Zealand has had the upper hand, winning 11 out of 17 ODIs and securing 10 victories out of 13 T20Is against South Africa. However, South Africa had a remarkable performance in their last T20I clash, bowling New Zealand out for just 67 runs and securing a resounding 65-run victory. This victory propelled them to an impressive runners-up finish in the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup held on home soil.