The South African coach confirmed that the team’s deadline remains unchanged, with the players required to return to South Africa by May 26.
South African Players’ Availability for IPL Playoffs and World Test Championship Final
The availability of South African players for the IPL playoffs and final has become a topic of discussion, as Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad emphasized that he expects his players to return to the national team by May 26. This follows the original plan before the IPL was suspended for a week due to the India-Pakistan conflict. The IPL is set to resume on May 17, with the playoffs beginning on May 29, and the final scheduled for June 3.
South Africa, having already qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, has organized a warm-up match against Zimbabwe from June 3 to 6 in Arundel. This preparation is crucial for the upcoming high-stakes clash against Australia, set to take place in the WTC final.
Currently, seven South African players, including Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Tristan Stubbs, are participating in the IPL. Despite this, Conrad has been clear that the deadline for players to return remains May 26, with no flexibility. He said, “Nothing has changed from our perspective… we want our players back by the 26th and hopefully, that will happen.” This deadline is crucial as the team prepares for their upcoming assignments.
‘May 26 is the latest for the Test guys to come back’
Enoch Nkwe, South African director of national teams and high performance, reiterated the importance of players returning by May 26 for the World Test Championship (WTC) final preparations. Nkwe emphasized that the original plan remains intact despite the IPL’s altered schedule due to the India-Pakistan conflict. He stated, “May 26 is the latest for the Test guys to come back. The original plans don’t change because the No. 1 priority is the WTC final.” The CSA is working closely with the IPL and the BCCI to ensure the players return on time.
South Africa secured their spot in the WTC final by winning eight of their 12 matches in the cycle, including an impressive seven consecutive victories to finish their campaign. The team is set to assemble in Arundel by May 31 and will play a warm-up match against Zimbabwe from June 3 to 6 to fine-tune their preparations for the crucial final against Australia. With the players’ return deadline firmly in place, CSA is prioritizing the WTC final to ensure optimal readiness for the upcoming high-stakes contest.
