Windies to play boxing day test in PE
The traditional Boxing Day Test will be played in Port Elizabeth this year, where South Africa will square up against the West Indies, Cricket SA said on Monday (24/02/2014).
"There were encouraging signs of good support for Test match cricket at St George's and we hope to see even greater attendances over the holiday period," CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said in a statement.
"That's why we want to announce our international fixtures early so that fans have plenty of time to make their holiday plans and come out in large numbers to support the Proteas."
Proteas captain Graeme Smith said in a television interview he was pleased to return to the venue on December 26, after his side beat Australia in the second Test at St George's Park on Sunday.
Kingsmead, in Durban, traditionally the host of the Boxing Day Test, had seen poor crowds in attendance during the December 2013 Test against India.
Before the Test, Jacques Kallis's announcement that it would be his last in the format failed to draw the Durban fans.
The West Indies will visit at the end of the year for a full series comprising three Tests, five ODI's and two T20 Internationals.
"I hope the fans in Port Elizabeth will come out in their numbers to support the Proteas," Proteas head coach, Russell Domingo said.
"This is always a fixture that the players look forward to and I'm sure the PE fans will make it a special and jovial occasion when it returns this summer against the West Indies."
CSA also released the Proteas' fixtures for 2014 which included an away tour to Sri Lanka in July, to play two Tests and three ODI's. This was following a postponement of the series last year.
It would be followed by a trip to Zimbabwe in August/September for a single Test, three ODI's and a triangular series involving Zimbabwe, South Africa and Australia.
The Proteas ODI squad would then travel to New Zealand in late October for a three-match ODI series against the Black Caps.
They would remain in the region to take on Australia in three T20 Internationals and five ODI's during November. - Sapa
