17 April 2014
Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday announced a reciprocal agreement in terms of which the England Lions will tour South Africa in the 2014/15 season and South Africa A will tour England in 2017.
The England Lions, England’s A team, will play two four-day test matches and five 50 overs limited overs matches against South Africa A in January and February 2015.
‘A very important agreement’
“This is a very important agreement for us,” Cricket South Africa’s General Manager Corrie van Zyl said in a statement. “It continues our policy of enabling our second best team to test itself against some of the strongest cricket playing countries in the world.
“What is particularly important is that our A side will now tour England in 2017, at the same time as our senior squad is in that country.
“England is always an out-of-season tour for us and it will help a lot to know that our back-up players are match-fit in case of need.”
‘An excellent opportunity’
ECB Performance Director, David Parsons, commented: “The Lions tour to South Africa will be an excellent opportunity to take on some very tough opposition in a challenging environment.
“It will also offer us an opportunity to test the players at the very highest level and allow the players to ultimately learn a great deal from the trip.
“We are look forward to visiting South Africa early next year.’
ENGLAND LIONS 2015 TOUR ITINERARY
- 5-7 Jan: SA Invitation XI v England Lions, UJ Soweto Oval
- 11-14 Jan: SA A v England Lions, Boland Park, Paarl
- 18-21 Jan: SA A v England Lions, Chevrolet Park,, Bloemfontein
- 25 Jan: 1st ODI, SA A v England Lions, Chevrolet Park, Bloemfontein
- 28 Jan: 2nd ODI, SA A v England Lions, Diamond Oval, Kimberley
- 31 Jan: 3rd ODI, SA A v England Lions, Senwes Park, Potchefstroom
- 2 Feb: 4th ODI, SA v England Lions, Mamelodi, Pretoria
- 5 Feb: 5th ODI, SA A v England Lions, Sahara Willowmoore Park, Benoni
SAinfo reporter
