Jacques Faul
“We would like to clarify the Boxing Day Test issue that many fans are upset about,” the cricket body told the Sport24 website.
“According to the ICC [International Cricket Council] Future Tours programme, the Proteas were only ever scheduled to play two Tests against New Zealand.
“The Boxing Day Test has not been replaced or cancelled in favour of T20 cricket for good.”
The Proteas would not play a Boxing Day Test in December, for the first time in 21 years, CSA announced earlier.
The traditional Test, starting on December 26, had been replaced by a T20 International, CSA acting chief executive Jacques Faul said in a statement.
“The New Zealand tour [will start] with three T20 International matches to be played over the Christmas period instead of the normal Test match,” Faul said.
“The Test series will now start with the New Year’s game at Sahara Park Newlands.”
South Africa have played Boxing Day Tests, either at home or away, every year since readmission to international sport in 1992.
They will face New Zealand in three T20 matches – the third of which will be played in Port Elizabeth on December 26 – followed by two Tests and three one-day internationals (ODI).
The Proteas will then host Pakistan in three Tests, two T20 games and five ODI’s between January and March 2013. – Sapa