ICC Cricket World Cup: Proteas schedule and venues

The single pool format of the ICC Cricket World Cup ensures there aren’t too many chances to get a kind schedule or draw, but the Proteas shouldn’t be too unhappy with their lot.

They begin their campaign against the team that will finish second in the qualifier tournament which is still ongoing.

There is a strong likelihood that that opening match will ultimately be against neighbours Zimbabwe at the Arun Jaitly Stadium in Delhi on 7 October.

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FACING AUSTRALIA EARLY ON

Six days later South Africa will be in action against Australia at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpai Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

The Proteas then repair to the Himalayan foothills for a high-altitude clash with the first-placed qualifiers with Sri Lanka favoured to fill that slot on 17 October.

South Africa have a huge crunch match against England scheduled to be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday 21 October.

The Proteas get to stay put in Mumbai for their next clash against Bangladesh on Tuesday 24 October.

On Friday 27 October they will be in Chennai to face Pakistan at the MA Chidambaram stadium.

South Africa take on the Black Caps of New Zealand at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Wednesday 1 November.

Four days later they face India in the absolute cauldron that is Eden Gardens in Kolkata and you can expect an intense atmosphere for that match.

The Proteas round off their round-robin phase on 10 November when they meet Afghanistan.

In a tournament like the ICC Cricket World Cup momentum is key and the Proteas will want to avoid making a poor start to the tournament.

Winning their first match will be a must and they will hope to peak before the vital trio of matches against Pakistan, New Zealand and India which take place within the space of eight days.

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PROTEAS ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2023 FIXTURES

Saturday 7 October vs Qualifier 2 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi from 10:30

Friday 13 October vs Australia at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpai Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow from 10:30

Tuesday 17 October vs Qualifier 1 at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala from 10:30

Saturday 21 October vs England at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai from 10:30

Tuesday 24 October vs Bangladesh at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai from 10:30

Friday 27 October vs Pakistan at the MA Chidambaram, Chennai from 10:30

Wednesday 1 November vs New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune from 10:30

Sunday 5 November vs India at Eden Gardens, Kolkata from 10:30.

Friday 10 November vs Afghanistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad from 10:30