Cricket South Africa has announced a major commercial partnership, confirming Cricket South Africa (CSA) has appointed SHREY as its Official Helmet and Luggage Partner in a five-year deal running until 2030.

The agreement covers both the Proteas Men and Proteas Women national sides, along with all home international fixtures played in South Africa. South African players will use SHREY helmets and premium luggage products which the company designed to meet current requirements of high-intensity cricket.

The partnership includes multiple areas which extend beyond equipment used in games. Fans will see SHREY branding through stadium displays during home domestic matches while the company will run digital and social media campaigns and fan activities and provide access to hospitality areas. The CSA partnership provides support throughout the entire player development process through its combination of advanced protective technology and tested high-quality travel products.

ALSO SEE: Star South Africa all-rounder unlikely to feature in PSL 2026 auction

CSA and SHREY underline shared commitment to player safety and elite performance

The CEO of CSA Pholetsi Moseki described SHREY as a global leader in cricket safety equipment through his remarks about the new partnership. The CSA partnership with other organizations supports the board's dedication to maintaining elite standards across all cricket formats through its focus on player welfare and excellence.

Raghav Kohli, who serves as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SHREY, explained that the contract serves as a critical milestone for developing South Africa's professional cricket ecosystem. He explained that the brand's values represent performance and safety and innovation, while the brand takes pride in its support for players who compete at the highest levels of the sport.

CSA, which holds full membership in the International Cricket Council, is expanding its commercial operations to develop player support systems while expanding its reach in both men's and women's cricketing domains.

The Gauteng High Court has ruled against Cricket South Africa (CSA) in favour of their left-arm wrist spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi, which has been a landmark judgement to show the interest of the players over the global game. Shami has played 127 international games across formats and withdrew his SA20 contract with MI Cape Town in order to play the ILT20 and the Big Bash League (BBL).

Shami was signed by the franchise for USD 29000 approx. But he has given a personal issue for his withdrawal. He breached the terms of his auction agreement in doing so. He was signed for the Gulf Gants and was granted a NOC by CSA, which ran until December 19, midway through the ILT20. But the court has extended the NOC for Shamsi till January 04.

See Also: Afghanistan recall veteran duo to announce squad for T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka

“I am grateful that the Court recognized the urgency of my situation and granted interim relief. I was reluctant to take this matter to court, but it became necessary to bring certainty and resolve a situation that could not be resolved in any other way.” Shamsi expressed in a statement by his management company.

Tabraiz Shami takes CSA to High Court for this reason

After the end of the ILT20, Shamsi will arrive in Australia to feature for the Adelaide Strikers. CSA, however, will take the next course of action after studying the judgment, as issuing the NOCs has become a significant subject in recent years, with various franchise leagues around the world.

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“Shamsi was not granted an NOC to participate in another T20 league due to SA20 contractual stipulations. CSA has issued the NOC based on the interim relief and will study the court's decision to grant the same before deciding on the way forward.” Pholetsi Moseki, the CSA CEO, addressed ESPNcricinfo.

“I have always taken immense pride in representing South Africa and remain fully committed and available to play for my country whenever called upon. Representing South Africa has been the greatest honour of my professional career.” Shamsi added in a statement that he is now unlikely to feature in SA20 in the future. 

In a usual sequence of Test matches, lunch breaks are taken before Tea. But that won’t be the case for the second Test of the upcoming series against South Africa to be played at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati from November 22. Due to the early sunrise and sunset in the eastern part of the country, the timings of the red-ball clash have been tweaked for the smooth conduct of the game.

The first session of the five-day encounter between India and South Africa will be from 9 am to 11 am, followed by the Tea session from 11 am to 11:30 am. The second session will take place till 1:20 pm, after which the lunch break will be from 1:20 pm to 2 pm. The third and final session of the clash will be played till 4 pm, apart from the extra 30 minutes to complete the 90 overs of the scheduled day.

See Also: [WATCH] KL Rahul recalls Rahul Dravid's reaction after his century celebration in Asia Cup 2023

"The reason to have early Tea is that Guwahati witnesses early sunset, and there is an early start too. This will be the first time we have decided to change the Tea session, as time will be saved to get extra game time on the field.” The source was revealed as quoted by the Indian Express.

IND vs SA 2nd Test in Guwahati to begin 30 minutes earlier than traditional start

In normal circumstances, the Test matches begin at 9:30 in the morning in India and have 40 minutes of lunch at the start. The start time varies from one country to another, like England, which begins its Test matches at 11 am due to having long days in its summer. Most of the team follows their traditional lunch-tea breaks during the red-ball contests.

Both Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have mutually decided to change the timing. In the past, the Indian board changed its session periods in the Ranji Trophy games to factor in the early sunset situation.

It’s expected to be the same situation with the lights during the opening Test at the Eden Gardens. However, no change in timing has been made for the opener.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) might have to shorten their only men’s home series this summer against West Indies to ensure both teams can reach the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka on time. The Proteas are scheduled to host the West Indies for five T20Is between January 27 and February 6. However, the T20 World Cup is set to begin on February 7, with the ICC’s support period, when teams arrive and play optional warm-up matches, starting January 31, earlier than the initially planned February 3.

CSA had originally planned their home fixtures assuming there would be enough time for South Africa to travel to the World Cup hosts. While it’s not mandatory for teams to use the entire support period at the venues, the ICC asks nations to specify how many warm-up matches they want, ranging from zero to two. Only if a team opts for two warm-up matches does the support period extend to one week before the tournament.

CSA is currently discussing with Cricket West Indies when the visitors want to arrive in the subcontinent and how many warm-up games they plan to play. If no warm-up matches are requested, the support period would start February 3, giving South Africa limited time to complete the series.

Impact on the SA vs WI Series

Even if West Indies feel the series in South Africa is enough preparation for the World Cup, the Proteas may have to cancel at least the last two T20Is, scheduled for February 4 and 6. Preponing the series isn’t possible since the SA20 league ends on January 25.

See Also: Top 5 key insights from Ishant Sharma’s recent podcast appearance

South Africa also have a relatively light home schedule this summer as venues are being prepared for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with drop-in pitches being developed. CSA's calendar will be busier next season, as it will draw on ten home Tests (eight men’s, two women’s), including a series against Australia and England. This careful planning shows CSA is trying to maintain its home series while preparing for a World Cup.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that 44 of the 54 matches at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will take place at eight venues in South Africa, while the other ten matches will be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia, who are co-hosts of the event. The confirmation came during the announcement of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) on Thursday, which included the selection of a former finance minister, Trevor Manuel, to chair a committee as an independent chairperson in the preparations for the global event. This will be the first ICC men's event in South Africa since the 2009 Champions Trophy and is the first time that the 50-over World Cup is played on African soil since 2003.

Shortlisted Locations in South Africa

The eight venues chosen by CSA blend traditional cricketing venues with iconic locations that have hosted historic matches:

• Johannesburg
• Pretoria
• Cape Town
• Durban
• Gqeberha
• Bloemfontein
• East London
• Paarl

A Historic Return of the World Cup to Africa

The 2027 edition marks 24 years since the last Men's ODI World Cup held in South Africa. The CSA chairperson, Pearl Maphoshe, said it was an opportunity to showcase the country's and the continent's diverse reality. 
"CSA's vision is to deliver a global, inspiring event which is a reflection of the face of South Africa - diverse, inclusive and united."

CSA president Rihan Richards said the tournament will also offer a once-in-a-million experience to expand the fans to reach new fans and deepen cricket's footprint across Africa.

"This makes the 2027 CWC a once-in-a-lifetime event to create a unique quad for expanding our global footprint, as well as engaging existing fans through digital innovation, while connecting with the African continent and the rest of the world."

ALSO SEE: Revised fixtures announced for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025

Local Organising Committee (LOC)

The LOC for the World Cup will consist of independent and non-independent directors, ministry representatives, and CSA representatives.

Independent Chair

• Trevor Manuel

CSA Members Council and Board Appointments

• Johannes Adams - President of Western Province
• Yunus Bobat - President of KwaZulu-Natal
• Vuyani Jarana - CSA Board Member

Ministry Appointments

• Advocate Philip October
• Unathi Matthew Tshotwana

Independent Directors

• Herman Bosman
• Nomfanelo Magwentshu
• Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
• Ravi Naidoo
• Dr Stavros Nicolaou
• Advocate Karrisha Pillay SC

CSA Staff

• Pholetsi Moseki – CSA CEO
• Refentse Shinners – CSA Public Affairs Executive
• Tjaart van der Walt – CSA COO

Past ICC Events in South Africa

South Africa has a great past hosting ICC events:

• 2003 Men's ODI World Cup (co-hosted with Zimbabwe and Kenya)
• 2007 inaugural Men's T20 World Cup
• 2009 Champions Trophy
• 2005 Women's ODI World Cup
• 2023 Women's T20 World Cup (where the Proteas made it to a final for the first time.)

The 2027 World Cup will take place with 44 matches across South Africa and 10 matches across Zimbabwe and Namibia, which should provide a truly pan-African cricketing celebration that's as diverse as the continent and as colourful.

In a ground-breaking development, South African batting prodigy Heinrich Klaasen has decided to call time on his international cricketing career at age 32. Klaasen confirmed the news of his retirement on his personal Instagram handle. The iconic Protea legend will no longer appear in South African colours. 

Klaasen was thankful to have represented South Africa, describing it as a lifelong aspiration and the greatest honor of his professional career. Furthermore, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his coaches, teammates, and supporters for their encouragement during his journey, stating that he will forever treasure the bonds and experiences formed while playing for the national team. 

See also: WTC 2025: ICC announces prize money details for prestigious Test championship

Klaasen pens an emotional note on his retirement

On his Instagram account, Klaasen expressed that it was not an easy decision for him to make. He feels sad to exit international cricket but stresses that it was in his best interest, keeping his family aspirations in mind. 

“It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket. It took me a long time to decide what’s best for me and my family for the future. It was truly a very difficult decision, but also one that I have absolute peace with.”

 

 

 

 

 

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Earlier today, Australia's Glenn Maxwell shocked the world by announcing his sudden ODI retirement. It does not take long for Klaasen to follow suit as well, as he becomes the latest professional cricketer to bid farewell to all formats. Klaasen leaves behind a legacy that may be matched only by a select few in modern-day cricket. 

On the back of his aggressive, flamboyant batting,  Klaasen became the 11th Protea batter to cross 2000 ODI runs and did so at the 54th-fastest pace in the format’s history. Besides, his fireworks at the IPL are something to behold. In the ongoing IPL edition, Klaasen racked up a blazing century (105 off 37) against Kolkata Knight Riders in Delhi, equalling the joint third-fastest century held by Yusuf Pathan, only behind Chris Gayle (30 balls) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (35 balls).

In a bizarre turn of events, the second unofficial Test between Bangladesh and South Africa emerging saw a very ugly incident unfold. The ongoing Test is currently being staged at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Players were involved in a heated on-field clash, which turned out to be physical in nature. The incident came to light during the 107th over of the Bangladeshi innings when Ripon Mondal of Bangladesh reportedly clashed with Innocent Ntuli of South Africa. 

Ripon's defalting six in the first ball of the over did not really sit so well with Ntuli, and that six soon turned into a flashpoint. Enraged by that six, Ntluli barged at Ripon and tried to push him aside. At first, Ripon tried to push him away multiple times, but the South African player persisted with his actions. It soon came down to a point where Ntluli got hold of Ripon's helmet and yanked it, leading to a serious escalation between the two players that also involved physical contact.

See also: BAN vs PAK 1st T20I: Bangladesh’s Probable Playing XI

Although the situation was diffused by the match officials and the surrounding fielders, serious questions have been raised concerning the attitude and the on-field conduct of the players involved. Even though this match does not possess first-class status, the authorities have ensured that disciplinary action is imminent. 

Watch the entire incident:

Tshepo Ntuli did THIS to Ripon Mondol after losing his calm 😮👇🏻#BanEvSAE pic.twitter.com/vt5SAgvfbZ

— Cricketangon (@cricketangon) May 28, 2025

Salim Shahed, the appointed match referee for this second unofficial Test, has confirmed that possible measures against the erring players will be discussed, and an official report will be submitted to investigate the incident more broadly. Shahed is currently waiting for the umpire's report to trickle through. Once that is received, both the reports from the referee and the umpires will be presented to the cricket boards of Bangladesh and South Africa.  

In a ground-breaking development, both Namibia and South Africa are gearing up to face each other for the first time in international cricket. Namibia will be hosting South Africa for a one-off T20I series in their newly-renovated Wanderers stadium in Windhoek on October 11. Despite being geographically close to each other, both nations have never met each other in any bilateral or tournament-level fixture. 

See also: IPL 2025: LSG vs RCB Match 70- Who will be Impact Players for today's match?

Historic moment for Cricket Namibia and its supporters

The one-off T20I will mark the beginning of a new chapter for cricket in southern Africa. This development is bound to redefine the cricketing ties between Cricket Namibia and Cricket South Africa. Cricket Namibia will be the obvious beneficiary as they look to draw inspiration from this association and try to bolster their cricketing standards around the country. 

The attention now shifts to Cricket Namibia's first official stadium, which has recently been renovated to comply with international standards. This newly renovated stadium (previously known as Wanderers) will play host to the upcoming historic T20I fixture between Namibia and South Africa. In addition, the ground will also stage matches from the 2026 Under-19 Men's World Cup and the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup.

It is worth noting that Namibia is a co-host of the Under-19 World Cup alongside Zimbabwe, as well as the ODI World Cup in collaboration with Zimbabwe and South Africa. The ground previously served as Namibia's high-performance centre, but the ongoing construction from 2021 has upgraded its capacity to hold 7000 spectators. 

Joy for all the stakeholders involved

Johann Muller, Cricket Namibia CEO, expresses his delight whilst announcing the launch of his new facility. Muller stresses that it had been a desire for the local Namibian population to see this dream turn into a reality. What further adds to his excitement is being able to host a world-class cricket team like South Africa in their newly revamped facility. 

"This truly is a memorable occasion. The new ground has been a dream for the last four years and has finally materialised. A match against our neighbours, and one of the top cricketing countries in the world, is the perfect way to open this world-class facility."

Quite understandably, his sentiments were echoed by his South African counterpart, Pholesti Moseki, who happens to be the CEO of Cricket South Africa. Moseki is thrilled to be a part of this historic experience. He further adds that Namibia are a seasoned side and hopes to see them perform well. 

"We are honoured to be part of this historic occasion. Namibia are a competitive side, and this fixture reflects the growing strength of cricket on the continent. As a fellow African cricketing nation and the host of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, we are proud to support the official opening of this new cricket ground, which will be one of the host venues of the tournament."

The upcoming ODI World Cup 2027 will jointly be hosted by South Africa and Namibia. The strong cooperation between the two African cricketing boards is clearly evident, and with a new facility in place, Namibia's growing influence in world cricket is only going to surge in the years to come. 

In a significant step toward preparing for the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, Jay Shah, the chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), recently visited South Africa to inspect key venues for the tournament. The World Cup event scheduled for October and November 2027 will have South Africa and Zimbabwe as joint hosts together with Namibia in what represents South Africa's and Zimbabwe's second World Cup collaboration since 2003 and Namibia's first hosting of the tournament. The ICC demonstrates its dedication to creating premium tournament spaces for the 14-team competition because Shah toured facilities for the upcoming 2027 World Cup.

Lions Cricket South Africa extended a warm welcome to both Shah and Cricket South Africa (CSA) Vice President Dr. Mohammed Moosajee when they visited the legendary DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on April 16, 2025. The stadium tour concluded with a fantastic lunch demonstration of the venue's capability to execute major competitions. The 2003 World Cup final occurred at Wanderers Stadium, which now has a 30,000-person capacity and serves as one among eight South African stadium choices. The eight confirmed South African venues for the tournament encompass Kingsmead in Durban and Newlands in Cape Town and also include SuperSport Park in Centurion as well as St. George’s Park in Gqeberha and Boland Park in Paarl and Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein and Buffalo Park in East London.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Rohit Sharma honored with special Memento by BCCI president Roger Binny

The venues were strategically selected by CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki according to hotel availability and airport accessibility criteria. The qualification process for Namibia stands separate from automatic qualification for South Africa and Zimbabwe, which includes hosting rights. South African officials work closely with ICC President Shashank Manohar to supervise tournament preparations because they need to maintain international standards throughout the infrastructure development and event operations and fan attendance convenience.

Venue Preparations and Regional Impact

The 2027 ODI World Cup will bring out Southern Africa’s traditional cricket culture while sharing its welcoming traditions with the world. The ICC evaluates three major South African cities with their selected venues to satisfy their specifications for facilities for players, media personnel, and spectators. Wanderers Stadium is receiving upgrades to qualify as a prime location for hosting important matches, which could include the final of the tournament, because of its cultural importance combined with contemporary features.

Also Read: IPL 2025: RCB vs PBKS Match 34 - A Head to Head breakdown

The co-host partnership between South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will stimulate cricket development throughout the region beyond South African borders. Matches during the upcoming tournament will be divided between the cities of Harare and Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, while Namibia receives a minor role, which signals progress of its developing cricket community. The World Cup’s planned development includes South African matches as the ICC works to build a unified tournament that advances cricket throughout these three countries, as demonstrated by Shah’s tour.

In a major twist of events, former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock who is also part of ICC's cricket committee, has spilled beans on ICC's inner workings on the relaxation of wide rule in limited-overs cricket. He has said that the governing body is working on a plan to ease the restrictions on wide deliveries, especially when the batter moves around in his/her crease. Pollock believes that the introduction of such a change can tip the balance in the favor of the bowlers ever so slightly, in a game that is heavily dictated by the batters. 

See also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Indian squad announcement likely to be delayed

Pollock assures something is in the works for the bowlers

In his recent conversation with PTI on the sidelines of the SA20, Pollock assures everyone that he is in touch with the working committee who are working on a solution to ease restrictions on wide rules. 

"So it's in the pipeline, we're all discussing. We need to give a little bit back to the bowlers."

In a game largely dominated by the batters, Pollock feels something has to go in the favor of the bowlers to make the game more balanced and enjoyable for the viewers to watch. Pollock does not appear to be a big fan of the current wide rule and feels that it is a little unfair on the bowler's part. 

"The current rule tends to suggest that if he [the batter] moves and it's that point of delivery where the batter is, and that's according to where the wide will be called, I want a little bit of a change. I want them to know exactly when they're running up why or how - how can a bowler be expected to change his game plan at the last second when he's bowling? He needs to have a clear idea where he can go." 

Prior attempts to address the wide rule

Prior to Pollock's recommendation, attempts have been made in the IPL and the WPL to use DRS to accurately adjudicate wides. Both the bowlers and the batters were given the provision to challenge the on-field decision for a wide call. However, the former Australian umpire has a different opinion on this matter and is not in favor of reviewing wide decisions with the help of DRS. Furthermore, he also states that the call of a wide is purely a judgment call which is likely to differ or vary from one umpire to another umpire and therefore, deems the intervention of a TV umpire in this matter to be unwarranted.