International cricket will be making a welcome return to Bloemfontein in January when South Africa host the reigning world champions, England, in two One-Day Internationals at the Mangaung Oval.
The English will face the Proteas in a series of three ODI’s with the third match of the now very important series to be played in Kimberley.
It will be the first time since March 2020 that international cricket will be played in Bloemfontein, and this has got the Free State Cricket Union very excited indeed.
South Africa’s recent 2-1 series defeat to India on the subcontinent has made this series more important, as the Proteas will want to try and avoid having to qualify for the 2023 ICC World Cup in India.
The Proteas could have a different feel to the team as it will be under new management with Mark Boucher stepping down as the head coach after the ICC T20 World Cup, that will get underway in Australia next week.
The last time England played an ODI in Bloemfontein was in February 2016 when they beat the Proteas by 39 runs.
The CEO of Free State Cricket, Johan van Heerden, told Bloemfontein Courant that it’s good for the city to see the return of top-flight cricket.
“It is absolutely great news for Bloemfontein,” said Van Heerden.
“We saw that we were once again excluded from the T20 league (SA20) that will be happening in January. We are excited and over the moon that we have been allocated two ODI’s with South Africa against England. We can’t want to get the English in town.
“We can’t wait to host the English and we are looking forward to a great international series. The first two games are in Bloemfontein and then the last game will go to Kimberley.
“It’s just great to have some serious cricket in the central region.”
In February 2005, the Proteas and world cricket great, AB de Villiers, made his debut for South Africa in the 2nd ODI against England. De Villiers scored 20 runs in the match that tied after both teams scored 270. The South African-born former England captain, Kevin Pietersen scored 108* in that match.
Fixtures:
27 January 2023 – 1st ODI (day/night) Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
29 January 2023 – 2nd ODI (day) Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein
1 February 2023 – 3nd ODI (day/night), Diamond Oval, Kimberley
-MORGAN PIEK
