India to play third Test against South Africa in Cape Town after venue switch

Johannesburg, South Africa: Cricket South Africa announced on Friday that the third Test between South Africa and India will be played in Cape Town instead of Johannesburg in January. All three Tests had originally been scheduled to be played in Gauteng, with the first and third in Johannesburg and the second in Centurion. Both teams were due to spend the entire series, starting on 17 December 17 and ending on 7 January, in a bio-secure environment close to the two venues. The change to the schedule means that the Newlands ground will resume its tradition of hosting a New Year Test, with the match due to start on 3 January. In a 2020/21 season severely restricted by COVID-19, the only two home Tests played by South Africa, against Sri Lanka, were played in Gauteng. No reasons were given for the switch. It has not yet been revealed whether spectators will be allowed but Covid restrictions in South Africa have been eased in recent months, with outdoor gatherings of up to 2,000 permitted. Graeme Smith, CSA’s director of cricket, said in October that the organisation was “pushing hard” for spectators to be allowed to attend the matches. India will also play three one-day internationals and four Twenty20 internationals in Cape Town and nearby Paarl. Revised itinerary: 17-21 December, first Test, Johannesburg 26-30 December, second Test, Centurion 3-7 January, third Test, Cape Town 11 January, first one-day international, Paarl 14 January, second one-day international, Cape Town 16 January, third one-day international, Cape Town 19 January, first T20 international, Cape Town 21 January, second T20 international, Cape Town 23 January, third T20 international, Paarl 26 January, fourth T20 international, Paarl