Australia likely to play the postponed Test series against South Africa in 2023

Cricket Australia (CA) are optimistic about playing its postponed three-match Test series against South Africa in 2023. Originally, the Australians were due to visit South Africa in March this year but pulled out last minute citing COVID concerns. Cricket South Africa (CSA) incurred huge losses in this particular financial year due to Australia not playing its scheduled Tests.

CSA were hoping to make some profit and remuneration for their home season after England also returned citing the COVID-19 threat late in 2020. With things slightly coming back to normalcy, the CA are hoping to play the three-Test matches in 2023. Nick Hockley, CA chief executive also said that there is no animosity between CA and CSA and they are working towards playing the Test matches somewhere in 2023.

"As we said at the time when we were very disappointed and I know our players were extremely, extremely disappointed not to be able to go to South Africa, so we're pleased that we've been able to find a window in 2023 to reschedule," Hockley said after CA's AGM on Thursday.

South Africa were also scheduled to tour Australia for a limited-overs series in 2021-22 but that too got cancelled due to the Australian government’s strict COVID-19 norms and protocols.

Australia have not played a Test match since featuring in the Brisbane game against India in early 2021. The team will get back to action in whites when the Ashes gets underway on December 8.

Meanwhile, CSA have also announced its home season for 2021-22, which will start with an all-format series against India from December 17.