South Africa series to begin a hectic winter overseas

Now that the England men’s international summer is over, the question is just when we will see them play again?

- Chris Stocks

The winter has a very different complexion to it now than it had six months ago, with the T20 World Cup that was set to start in Australia next month postponed.

England also have to squeeze in a two-Test series in Sri Lanka after their tour to the country in March was abandoned midway through the second warm-up match because of Covid-19.

Of course, the pandemic has made planning for the future difficult but, all things being equal, England are likely to be playing most of the tours they have signed up to – in South Africa, Sri Lanka and India.

First up is a white-ball tour of South Africa in November. The England & Wales Cricket Board are increasingly confident they will be able to travel for three T20s and three ODIs despite the rising infections in the country.

The trip, which was originally scheduled for next Spring, has been moved forward to the end of this year after England’s tour of Sri Lanka was cancelled back in March.

Plans are still to be finalised, with talks between the ECB and Cricket South Africa continuing. England are expected to be housed in a bio-secure hotel in Cape Town, with Newlands due to share the hosting of matches with nearby Boland Park in Paarl.