Australia tour of South Africa 2021: Three Tests could be shifted to Perth, say reports

Australia tour of South Africa 2021: Australia were scheduled to travel to South Africa for a three-match Test series next year.

It was only around six weeks ago that CSA (Cricket South Africa) had announced a mega schedule for this summer season which comprised of bilateral series across formats against England, Sri Lanka, Australia and Pakistan.

With the cancellation of a three-match ODI series against England due to COVID-19-related reasons, it seems doubts have started to developed around the future of a grand summer season.

According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, CSA and CA (Cricket Australia) are pondering over shifting a three-match Test series from South Africa to Perth to ease the pressure on the Proteas who are scheduled to host Sri Lanka and Pakistan before and after the Australia series.

Australia tour of South Africa 2021

With South Africa confirming a tour of Pakistan between January 26 – February 14 next year, the original prospect of hosting Australia between February 14 – March 13 seems unlikely now.

What remains an option for South Africa is to travel to Perth directly from Pakistan. With the city having a couple of international stadiums, Australia and South Africa can play three Tests alternatively.

While teams tend to play their home fixtures at home only, South Africa are unlikely to complain about playing a Test series in Australia due to their recent record down under.

Since the start of 2008, South Africa have played nine Test matches in Australia winning five, losing two and drawing the remaining two. The last time South Africa had lost a Test series in Australia was a decade-and-a-half ago in 2005.

While South Africa will host Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series beginning from December 26, Australia will host India for a four-match Test series beginning from December 17.