"England's two white-ball series in South Africa next year are currently in doubt amid the latest scheduling clash that pits franchise cricket against the international game. As it stands, England's men are due to play three Tests, three one-day internationals and three Twenty20s in South Africa next winter. The white-ball leg of this rare full tour to the country represents an important scouting mission for the World Cup that South Africa are co-hosting in late 2027."
"The Guardian understands the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has turned down a request from Cricket South Africa (CSA) to split the tour and play the white-ball games in February after the SA20 is completed. England's men are due to play two Tests in Bangladesh during that same period. It leaves CSA scrambling to find a solution, the SA20 window having been agreed over a year ago and South Africa's leading players contracted to appear in the tournament, with no mechanism to withdraw them."
England is scheduled to play three Tests, three ODIs and three T20s in South Africa next winter, with the white-ball matches serving as scouting for the 2027 World Cup. Dates for the marquee Test series are nearly finalised, but the limited-overs leg risks postponement because of a clash with the SA20 franchise competition running from 9 January to 14 February. The ECB declined a CSA request to split the tour and play the white-ball games later, leaving CSA to seek a short SA20 delay from franchise owners. The three T20s may be postponed indefinitely and top venues may remain unavailable while preparations continue.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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