South Africa Could Struggle To Qualify For ICC ODI World Cup

Summary

• CSA cancel ODI series against Australia in 2023
• South Africa concedes 0-3 series to Australia
• South Africa will now struggle to qualify for ICC ODI World Cup

South Africa has been one of the top ODI sides in international cricket for the last two decades but the last year and a half hasn’t been the best for the Proteas. South Africa currently hold the 11th spot on the ICC World Cup Super League points table with a record of 13 games, 4 wins, 7 losses and 2 no-results.

South Africa had an important ODI series coming up against Australia in Australia during January 2023. This was going to be a tough challenge for the Proteas but also an opportunity for them to get a few wins under their belt and move up the points table.

The top 8 teams in the ICC World Cup Super League points table are automatically selected to play the ICC ODI World Cup. Things are going to be difficult for the Proteas as Cricket South Africa (CSA) recently informed Cricket Australia (CA) that they will not be in a position to play the ODI series in Jan.

CSA has put together a new T20 league and was unable to work around the dates. As a result, CSA has decided to forfeit the ODI series 0-3 to Australia and give the Aussies full points. South Africa could struggle to make it into the top 8 teams that qualify for the ODI World Cup which will be an embarrassment for the Proteas.

CA released a statement and confirmed that they were disappointed that South Africa was pulling out of the ODI series. However Nick Hockley, CEO of CA said that they were happy South Africa would take part in a 3 match test series during the Australian summer this year.

South Africa will play the boxing day test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the New Year’s test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). CA has already made changes to its cricketing schedule for the summer after learning that South Africa will not play the ODI series.

Since Australia will not take part in the ODI series in Jan 2023, it will work in favour of the Big Bash League (BBL) as Australia’s top T20 players will be available to play in the BBL!