South Africa home season to kick off with white-ball series against Australia

South Africa will welcome Australia for three T20Is and five ODIs in August-September to kickstart their 2023-24 home season. The schedule, confirmed by a Cricket South Africa release, will see the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban host each of the three T20Is on August 30, September 1 and September 3 respectively.

The two teams will then square off in a five-match ODI series that will serve as an important tune-up ahead of the marquee ODI World Cup in India in October-November. The first two one-dayers will be hosted at Bloemfontein on September 7 and 9 before the series moves to the Highveld via Potchefstroom.

The Proteas haven't officially sealed direct qualification to that tournament in India as yet but should get there unless 11th place Ireland can sweep the forthcoming series against Bangladesh and in the process push their Net Run Rate past South Africa, who at eighth spot in the Super League standings, as the last of the teams to get direct qualification.

"It is the start of the international season for us and it is a particularly important campaign in many respects because of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup which is taking place in India later in the year. We haven't qualified just yet, but we hope to be there and challenge the best in the world when the tournament is played in October and November," CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki said.

Australia last visited South Africa in 2020 where they were swept 3-0 in the ODIs after clinching the T20Is 2-1. "Games and tours like these against a formidable Australia side can only do good for our Proteas Men," Moseki said of the coming assignment. "It is also an opportunity for coach Rob Walter and his team to keep building on the excellent work they have already done so far together. We look forward to watching them play and we hope that South Africans will come out in their numbers and get behind the team in what should be a highly competitive tour."

Tour Itinerary

August 30 - 1st T20I, Durban

September 1 - 2nd T20I, Durban

September 3 - 3rd T20I, Durban

September 7 - 1st ODI, Bloemfontein

September 9 - 2nd ODI, Bloemfontein

September 12 - 3rd ODI, Potchefstroom

September 15 - 4th ODI, Centurion

September 17 - 5th ODI, Johannesburg