Australia to play three Tests, five ODIs in SA

Johannesburg: Australia will play three Tests, five ODIs and two Pro20 matches on their tour of South Africa from February to April next year, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Friday.

Australia open their tour on February 20 with a three-day warm-up match against South Africa A in Potchefstroom, the only time they will not be playing the national team.

The three Tests will be played in the “traditional venues” of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, the CSA statement said. The tour ends on April 17 with the last of the one-dayers.

Itinerary: Feb. 20-22 v South Africa A (Potchefstroom); Feb. 26-March 2, First Test (Johannesburg); March 6-10, Second Test (Durban); March 19-23, Third Test (Cape Town); March 27, Pro20 (Johannesburg); March 29, Pro20 (Centurion); April 3, First ODI (Durban); April 5, Second ODI (Centurion); April 9, Third ODI (Cape Town); April 13 , Fourth ODI (Port Elizabeth); April 17 Fifth ODI (Johannesburg).

Bracewell to leave

Wellington: New Zealand Cricket coach John Bracewell will step down when his contract expires in April next year, New Zealand cricket said on Friday.

“John has informed me that he will not be looking to extend his contract for another term and will instead pursue other coaching opportunities in cricket,” New Zealand Cricket chief executive Justin Vaughan said. Bracewell, a former off-spinner who took 102 wickets in 41 Tests for New Zealand, has previously said he is interested in returning to coaching English County cricket.

“I have enjoyed my time with the Black Caps and am now looking forward to future challenges at the conclusion of my contract next year,” Bracewell said. The 50-year-old, currently in England with the touring New Zealand team, coached Gloucestershire for five years before taking up the top New Zealand post in 2003.

India A to tour Israel

Mumbai: India A will visit Israel for a week in July to play against an Israeli invitation XI comprising players from other countries and a few homegrown cricketers. “The India A team is to visit Israel and Australia (for emerging nations three-nation tournament) in July,” BCCI sources said on Friday.

The week-long visit to Israel, at the invitation of its cricket association as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the nation, will involve a three-match series against an invitation team, which would have Adam Bacher of South Africa as one of its players. Australian domestic cricketers Steve Herzberg, Jon Moss and Michael Klinger, Irishmen Jason and Greg Molin and veteran Dutch player Roland Lefebvre are some of the players who will play for the invitation team.