CSA jeopardize South Africa's World Cup qualification chances; cancels ODI series against Australia

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has put their World Cup 2023 qualification chances in jeopardy by prioritizing their new T20 league over international cricket. South Africa are scheduled to travel to Australia in December for a three-match Test series. 

They also had to play a three-match ODI series from January 12 to January 17 in Hobart, Sydney, and Perth. However, the One Day series now stands cancelled as Cricket Australia have declined their request of shifting the dates for the fixtures. 

CSA’s decision came in a bid to promote their new T20 league. The authorities were against the idea of the national Proteas stars not participating in the domestic Championship. The cancellation of the series is a major setback for the Proteas cricket team.

As CSA has decided to consider Australia the winners of the three-match ODI series, South Africa will be pushed towards missing direct qualification for the World Cup 2023, scheduled in India. They are currently 11th in the points table from 13 matches and are expected to go further down. 

Cricket Australia released an official statement on Wednesday to confirm the news

"Given these games will not be played before the qualification cut-off date in May, CSA has agreed that Australia will be awarded the competition points pending ICC approval," the statement by CA read. 

Australia reschedules their summer international fixtures

Meanwhile, the CA chief executive Nick Hockley also expressed his disappointment with the cancelation of the fixtures. 

"It is disappointing that Cricket South Africa will be unable to contest the ODI series in January. 

That said, we are delighted to be hosting South Africa for the three-match 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," the official said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. 

Furthermore, Cricket Australia has made certain amends to their international fixtures for Summer 2022-23. They have changed the venues for a handful of games to give a chance to Hobart and Perth to host the international matches following the cancellation of the South Africa series. 

The first T20 International scheduled between West Indies and Australia on October 7 has been relocated to the Gabba from Metricon. Also, Perth Stadium will be hosting the first T20I against England on October 9 instead of the Gabba. 

There has been a change in the schedule of Australia’s Women's matches as well. Australia Women had to face Pakistan Women in the second T20I match on January 27 at the Manuka Oval. The fixture has now been moved to January 28 at Blundstone Arena. 

With the ODI series in January cancelled, Australia’s international players will be available to play in the Big Bash League. This will be a major boost for the T20 league.