South Africa's ODI World Cup 2023 Hopes Suffer Major Blow After Australia Series Gets Cancelled

South Africa’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 hopes have suffered a big blow after they pulled out of the three-match ODI series against Australia, which was set to be played in January 2023.

The three-match ODI series between South Africa and Australia was part of the ICC Super League, which determines direct qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. South Africa are currently at the 11th position on the Super League points table and only the top 8 teams will get direct entry into the marquee tournament.

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The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 will be played in India in October-November and this will be the first time that the entirety of the tournament will be hosted by India. Notably, India had previously hosted three World Cups partially, including the 1987 World Cup with Pakistan, the 1996 World Cup with Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the 2011 World Cup with Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, South Africa National Cricket Team will be playing a couple of series before the completion of the Super League period, which will be against England and India.

It is Disappointing that Cricket South Africa will be unable to contest the ODI series – Nick Hockley

Cricket South Africa (CSA) asked Cricket Australia (CA) to reschedule the three-match ODI series so that it does not clash with their new domestic T20 league. However, CA was unable to find new dates and CEO Nick Hockley indicated that the upcoming summer of cricket was already too crowded.

CA CEO Hockley also said that the Proteas being unable to participate in the ODI series against Australia is disappointing. However, he added that CA is delighted to host Proteas for the three-match Test series.

“It is disappointing that Cricket South Africa will be unable to contest the ODI series in January,” he said in an official statement.

“That said, we are delighted to be hosting South Africa for the three Test series which includes the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests and with the comprehensive schedule of international cricket that will take place across Australia throughout the summer. 

“This will include the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and a record six touring teams for the Men’s and Women’s international series as well as the twelfth season of the BBL and the eighth season of the WBBL. We can’t wait to see fans back at the cricket this summer.” 

Meanwhile, Australia are currently at the 8th spot on the Super League standings with 70 points from 12 matches.

Also Read: ENG vs IND: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan Become 4th Opening Pair To Score 5000 Partnership Runs In ODIs

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