Proteas who are involved in the current Indian Premier League (IPL) will be released before the conclusion of the tournament to allow them to prepare for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, due to be held next month in London.
A number of players who are part of the South African WTC squad are playing for IPL teams that are likely to make the play-offs. At first there was concern that these players would not be released by their Indian sides in time to return to South Africa, and then to England, to prepare for the match.
However, it now seems that the cricketing boards of South Africa and India have agreed that the South African players will be made available for their national side’s preparations.
The IPL was scheduled to be completed by 25 May. However, it was suspended for a week because of clashes between India and Pakistan. The suspension has now been lifted, and the final will be held on 3 June.
South Africa will be playing a warm-up match against Zimbabwe from 3 June ahead of the WTC final against Australia, which starts on 11 June at Lord’s.
Eight South African players that are in the WTC squad are also playing for IPL sides: Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi, and Wiaan Mulder.