Australia and South Africa to travel to West Indies for a tri-series next year
Australia and South Africa are all set to travel to West Indies next June for a 10-match ODI tri-series, according to a press release issued Friday by the WICB, reported ESPNcricinfo. Three games will be held at Guyana and St Kitts and the final four ODIs, the final included, will be held at Kensington Oval in Barbados.
WICB manager of cricket operations Roland Holder said that it would be an exciting tournament featuring two top sides along with the hosts. "This tournament promises to be very exciting with two of the world's top teams coming to the Caribbean," said Holder. "It will provide a golden opportunity for our team to test themselves against two of the best sides in the world in the ODI format."
Australia were in West Indies recently, sweeping a two-match Test series to retain the Frank Worrell Trophy. The last time the two sides played a limited overs game was three years ago in March 2012 when they played five ODIs and two T20Is, along with three Tests.
Australia and the Windies split the ODI series with two wins each; there was a tie in the third ODI at St Vincent when Darren Sammy was run out with two balls to spare. West Indies tour Australia for three Tests in December and January, but will not play any limited overs matches on the tour.
Australia-South Africa rivalry a fascinating rivalry: WICB
South Africa demolished the hosts during their last tour of the West Indies five years ago, sweeping two T20Is and five ODIs and also claimed the three-Test series 2-0. Their last encounter came in Australia at the World Cup in February when AB de Villiers struck the fastest 150 in ODI history to give a 257-run win to South Africa, and also the biggest margin of defeat by runs in World Cup history.
"Australia won the ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil earlier this year and South Africa are highly ranked in this format, but are also the No. 1 side in Tests," said Holder. "These two sides have shared some fascinating rivalries not only in the ODI but other formats of the international game in recent years.
"The regional audience, therefore, will have a rare chance to attend and see this strong rivalry played out before their eyes, so we expect them to pack the three venues and bring the noise and colour associated with the game in the region."
Tri-Series Schedule
June 6: Australia vs South Africa, Guyana
June 8: West Indies vs South Africa, Guyana
June 10: West Indies vs Australia, Guyana
June 13: South Africa vs Australia, St Kitts
June 15: West Indies vs South Africa, St Kitts
June 17: West Indies vs Australia, St Kitts
June 20: Australia vs South Africa, Barbados
June 22: West Indies vs South Africa, Barbados
June 24: West Indies vs Australia, Barbados
June 26: Final, Barbados