Avid South African cricket fans often feel as though they watch their team on a far more limited basis as opposed to other playing nations. Instead of diving back into action after heartbreaking World Cup exits, it is numerous months before supporters are provided the opportunity to witness them back to take on a challenging opponent.
Let’s look at the evidence, shall we, of numerous teams already having completed multiple games after the conclusion of the World Cup? England, West Indies, New Zealand, Pakistan, Australia, India, Bangladesh and even Zimbabwe have already participated in matches (most completing entire series), leaving South Africa as one of the only few yet to begin international duty. Sure, many of their players were engaged in the IPL but even that concluded three weeks ago, providing an ample amount of time to commence with a new series. With the disappointment of the 2015 World Cup campaign still etched in their minds, the supporters will be enormously keen to dispel such thoughts and watch their team at their brilliant best once again.
Thankfully, though, the schedule ahead is jam packed and it promises to be an intriguing few months for the South African fan base. First up, a tour to Bangladesh in July where South Africa are expected to be relatively untroubled by the spirited side in 2 T20Is, 3 ODIs and 2 Tests. While they do often pose a threat to more accomplished sides (having recently beat Pakistan 3-0 in an ODI series), South Africa should see through these series with relative ease, perhaps as a build up for the more difficult tasks ahead.
In August, the emerging New Zealanders come into town for 2 T20I’s and 3 ODIs and the South Africans will be keen for revenge after their recent semi final battle. Last time the New Zealanders played an ODI series in South Africa, they won 2-1 making it a first series victory against them on their turf and improving what had previously been a dismal record against the Rainbow Nation. With their recent compelling tussles still ingrained in the memories of viewers, this promises to be a very entertaining series, even for the neutrals.
Thereafter, South Africa head off to India for a bumper two months in October and November filled with 4 Tests, 5 ODIs and 3 T20’s. 4 Tests in one series is an extreme rarity when South Africa is involved and supporters will be licking their lips at the prospect of their team participating in so many games in the format they perform best. After India curtailed their tour in December 2013 and were thoroughly outplayed by South Africa in both the Test and ODI series, the South African fans will be hoping for more of the same, this time though defeating them in their own backyard would be infinitely sweeter. With the bustling, beautiful stadiums that have become even more globally renowned due to the IPL forming the backdrop, this has the makings of a classic series, one where two evenly matched sides battle each other for dominance.
South Africa’s summer is entirely consumed by a 3-month visit from the English. As recently as 2012, the two teams were both closely contesting a battle for the Test mace, one from which South Africa emerged victorious and has never surrendered. While England have been dwindling in the last few years, their recent amassing of 408 in an ODI against New Zealand proves that with new approaches, they may be on the rise. With 4 Tests, 5 ODIs and 2 T20’s to be played, extending from December all the way to February, England could easily prove a worthy opponent for the ever dominant (in bilateral series, at least) South Africans. Being played after the Ashes, perhaps this will play a key role in England’s confidence when they arrive in South Africa.
All these are perhaps a precursor for the matches that all South Africans most eagerly anticipate, those against the fiercest enemy, Australia. The fans will be hopeful that by the time that series rolls around in March, South Africa will have overcome most (if not all) of these other adversaries. It seems as though supporters of South African cricket have a tantalising season ahead, one filled to the brim with fantastic fixtures which will hopefully live up to their billing.
