Kingsmead in for international cricketing feast this summer

Durbanites can look forward to a feast of international cricket action this summer after Cricket South Africa (CSA) recently confirmed the home of the Sunfoil Dolphins, Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, will host no fewer than four of the Proteas’ 2015/16 home matches between August 2015 and March 2016.

Sunfoil Dolphins CEO Pete de Wet.
Sunfoil Dolphins CEO Pete de Wet.

In addition to respective away tours to Bangladesh and India, fans can look forward to the Proteas taking on all of New Zealand, England and Australia on home turf this summer with Dolphins’ fans having been handed a golden opportunity to enjoy a wealth of live international cricket.

The recent confirmation by CSA and Cricket Australia (CA) of the itinerary for Australia’s three match T20 series in March completes the Proteas fixture list for 2015/16.

“We will be competing at home against New Zealand, England and Australia. These are three top-class teams and it promises to be one of our most exciting and competitive home seasons in a long time,” commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat.

“The T20 Series against Australia provides for both teams the perfect lead-in to the ICC World Twenty20 which will be played in India immediately afterwards.

“The Proteas will now play a total of four Sunfoil Test matches, eight Momentum ODIs and seven KFC T20 International matches during the home season.”

Recently welcomed Sunfoil Dolphins CEO Pete de Wet is also notably pleased with the recent announcements and looks forward to Sahara Stadium Kingsmead being filled by passionate cricket fans shortly.

“The new season promises to be a bumper one for us at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead,” said De Wet.

“In addition to the Sunfoil Dolphins taking part in the Ram Slam T20, Momentum One Day Cup and the Sunfoil Series, we have some very exciting international cricket to look forward to.

“The Proteas will do battle against New Zealand in a KFC T20 International and Momentum One Day International in August in what must be seen as an opportunity to settle the score.

“After the disappointment of the loss against the same team in the World Cup, this is a real chance to exact some revenge.”

For the purists of the game, the return of red-ball cricket to Kingsmead this festive season is another welcome sight.

“We are very pleased to see the Boxing Day Test Match tradition return to Durban and this year we host England in what promises to be an terrific battle.

“I am sure that the people of KwaZulu-Natal as well as all the holiday makers from around South Africa will want to watch at least one day of the Test Match live, so I encourage everyone to get their tickets early!” said De Wet.

Sahara Stadium Kingsmead then hosts the first of the KFC T20 Internationals against Australia which signals the start of the Proteas’ 2016 ICC World Twenty20 build-up campaign.

“The last International highlight on the calendar is a KFC T20 International double header, where fans will get to witness not only the Proteas taking on the mighty Australians, but also see the Proteas Women’s team take on the West Indies Women right here at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead!” added De Wet.

The international season’s action will also stretch to the province’s capital during England’s tour of South Africa in December when the Pietermaritzburg Oval hosts a tour match between the visitors and a South African Invitational XI.

2015/16 Internationals at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead:
14 August 2015 (Night) – South Africa vs. New Zealand (1st KFC T20 International)
26 August 2015 (D/N) – South Africa vs. New Zealand (3rd Momentum ODI)
26-30 December 2015 – South Africa vs. England (1st Sunfoil Test Match)
4 March 2015 (Night) – South Africa vs. Australia (1st KFC T20 International)