Proteas to tackle Zim in T20 at Buffalo Park

THE South African cricket team are set to return to Buffalo Park for the second time in less than a year when they take on Zimbabwe in a home T20 encounter in October.

The Proteas claimed a thumping one-day international win over Bangladesh in East London on October 22 last year, and the side will be back in action on October 9.

It will be the first time since the year 2000 that the Proteas have played two matches at Buffalo Park in less than a year.

“We are very excited. It is what we have been calling for. We have wanted more content and we need to bring the games to the people. So to see the Proteas in East London two years in a row is great and we are hoping to get more,” said CEO of Border cricket Thando Booi.

“For us the first step is to bring the Proteas to town, and that’s exactly what we are doing and I am sure Zimbabwe will be good opposition.

“Going forward we are going to be busy in terms of marketing, but we also have the Africa T20 in September, so this year is going to be a big year for us.”

Cricket South Africa yesterday announced a bumper 2018-19 home season, which sees the Proteas taking on Zimbabwe, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Against Zimbabwe the Proteas will play three ODIs and three T20s, against Pakistan they will play three Tests, five ODIs and three T20s, while the Sri Lanka series will feature two Tests, five ODIs and three T20s, with the opening T20 of the Zimbabwean series the only one to be played at Buffalo Park.

“We are still engaging with CSA and our engagements are starting to yield results,” said Booi.

“We would have liked to get one more game, but we are confident that going forward we are going to get more.

“Previously we would get a game once every two years, and now that has come down to once a year, which is good for us and good for the people of Buffalo City.”

A large crowd will be expected. “Even with domestic games we get really good support here, so we are confident that fans will grab this chance to see the Proteas and come in their numbers,” said Booi.

“I am also confident that we have a lot of Zimbabweans in the Eastern Cape and I believe they will also come out in their numbers to support their team.”