Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have agreed to resume the third Test match at the Kia Oval in London on Saturday, 10 September. The match will be played over the remaining three days in accordance with the original schedule.
Unfortunately play was abandoned on day one due to the extensive rain, and day two was suspended following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The ECB and CSA considered whether it was possible to extend the final match of the series by one day but this was unfortunately not feasible due to the Proteas’ current schedule and the imminent departure of the white-ball squad for another two-month tour. The Proteas players have already been away from home for over two months and will have only a few days with families at home before leaving on their next two-month tour to India and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
The Test squad will arrive home on Wednesday, 14 September as scheduled, with the white-ball squad and the entire team management set to depart for the limited-overs tour of India on 23 September.
CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki commented:
“CSA is in full support of the ECB’s decision to go ahead with the third Test match between England and South Africa following the UK’s day of mourning. After consultation with the Proteas’ team management and given the schedule ahead, it was clear that it would not be in the players’ interests to extend the Test and reduce the few days the players have with their families before another long tour.”
To commemorate the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, both teams will observe a minute’s silence prior to the start of play and each squad member will wear a black armband for the duration of the match.
