Johannesburg — The third Test between South Africa and England will begin on Saturday at The Oval, following the cancellation of play on the second day due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
However, it is believed that Cricket South Africa could not agree to the England Cricket Board’s request to add an additional day due to logistical considerations.
Friday afternoon, the ECB issued a statement announcing that the Test would begin on Saturday, with each day consisting of 98 overs.
The two boards engaged in long discussions over extending Tuesday’s play by a day. However, the Proteas, who were set to depart on that date, do not wish to delay their departure, since doing so would leave them with less time at home before next week’s One-Day and Twenty20 International series in India. They will travel directly from India to Australia in order to participate in the T20 World Cup.
On Friday morning, the ECB and numerous other English sports groups met with the UK government’s department of Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport, after which the Premier League agreed to postpone all of the weekend’s football fixtures.
Following the discussion, the administration said that there was “no duty to cancel or postpone activities and sporting fixtures or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period.”
Cricket South Africa expressed its “deepest sympathies” to the England Cricket Board, noting that the Queen “was an iconic woman who encouraged hope and resilience throughout her life.”
“The longest-reigning monarch in British history was an enthusiastic sports aficionado and fervent cricket enthusiast. Throughout the years, she met with several Proteas players, according to a CSA statement.