After hosting South Africa last year, West Indies would be visiting their country for a bilateral series that starts with a warm-up match on January 25 and will be followed by four ODIs.
In a statement released by Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Wednesday, it was confirmed that the matches would be played in a ‘bio-secure environment’ at Imperial Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg which is close to the team’s hotel following a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases yet again majorly after the detection of a new variant, Omicron.
In the report by CSA announcing the revised schedule on their official website, their Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith said,
“CSA is extremely excited to be able to confirm the schedule for the West Indies tour to South Africa during a critical time for the Momentum Proteas side as they strive to make history in this year’s World Cup,”
“Following lengthy and constructive engagements between CSA and CWI, all parties are delighted to confirm the fixtures that will allow both nations to play during these challenging times of the pandemic and get the required amount of cricket in the players’ legs before a major tournament, he added.
The Proteas got a better off the Windies on their tour to West Indies in August/September last year with the three-match T20I series ending in a draw after a match was called off due to rain and they further winning the five-match ODI series whose last match went into a super over where West Indies clinched the victory ending the series 4-1. In fact, the Proteas didn’t lose a series in 2021.
Praising their great performance, Smith went on saying,
“The Momentum Proteas had an exceptional year in 2021 – ending it as the second-ranked team on the ICC rankings in the ODI format – and it is important to continue that momentum with a significant series against quality opposition,”
As we head towards the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup which is just a couple of months away from now, this series which begins just two days before the Women’s Ashes would give both the teams an opportunity to get themselves ready for the big tournament scheduled in New Zealand. Just three days after the series ends, New Zealand hosts India for only T20I and five ODIs ahead of the Cup.
Schedule for West Indies Women tour of South Africa 2021
Match | Date | Venue |
Warm-Up | Tuesday, January 25 | Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg |
1st ODI (D/N) | Friday, January 28 | Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg |
2nd ODI | Monday, January 31 | Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg |
3rd ODI (D/N) | Thursday, February 3 | Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg |
4th ODI | Sunday, February 6 | Imperial Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg |
Author of the poetry book ‘The Scent of Rhythm’, I am a passionate writer and a Sports enthusiast who writes on Cricket and plays Badminton.