South Africa to play Boxing Day Test for sure, confirms Haroon Lorgat

The CEO of the Cricket South Africa (CSA), Mr. Haroon Lorgat, has confirmed that the South African team will play a Boxing Day Test in this season. Earlier, it was pretty much set to see the Indian team touring South Africa for a full tour in December. However, after the BCCI recently released a packed home schedule till mid-December, the South African tour has come to a standstill.

Albeit the BCCI CEO Rahul Johri confirmed that India will tour South Africa, the dates are yet to be finalized. In this situation, CSA CEO Haroon Lorgat is in no mood to miss out on playing the Boxing Day Test. As per the recent quotes in IOL.co.za, he conceded that the Indian team will tour definitely. In case they are not available for the Boxing Day game, there will be some other arrangement. This potentially makes room for a one off Test with potential oppositions being Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Ireland.

“One way or another, we will be playing a Boxing Day Test this year. They (Team India) are still definitely touring, but the starting date is still a challenge due to their itinerary. We will make alternate arrangements if we have to, but we will play a Boxing Day Test to start our international season,” quoted Haroon Lorgat.

On Kolpak players

Also, the end of 2017 will see CSA’s very own T20 league get underway. Haroon Lorgat noted that the T20 league will be open to the Kolpak players as well. This, in essence, would mean that the likes of Kyle Abbott, Rilee Rossouw, and others will be able to participate in the tournament.

“The draft is open to Kolpak players, too, and we have actually increased the number of overseas players in each squad to five players. That will see the size of each squad increase to 18, to ensure that we still provide ample opportunities for local players,” he mentioned.

Talking about the scheduling of the tournament, he conceded that the tournament finals will be played at the Wanderers every year. “We have committed to hosting a final at The Wanderers every year. That is fixed, and we will always work backwards to the start date. This year that is November 3, and we want to keep it (the final) that way,” Lorgat remarked.