SuperSport’s Summer of Cricket heats up as Proteas set sights on Sri Lanka

SuperSport’s world-class cricket coverage has seen fans enjoy top-notch coverage of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the CSA T20 Challenge and the Proteas’ T20 series against old foes India so far this summer.

SuperSport’s Summer of Cricket line-up has delivered unmatched cricket coverage, a display of all the thrills and spills of the battle between bat and ball, while new heroes have emerged.

This summer, SuperSport’s expert analysts, live commentary in three official South African languages during the men’s Proteas series and cutting-edge viewing options make it the ultimate destination for cricket enthusiasts.

Now, all eyes are on the next challenge, a two-test series against the ever-tricky Sri Lanka. Plenty is riding on the series as the Proteas chase a Test Championship place at the Home of Cricket, Lord’s. To get there, South Africa must win three of the four test matches on home soil (two of which will feature Pakistan in the iconic Boxing Day and New Year’s tests).

The team will be looking to bounce back from the mixed bag of results achieved against India in the 3-1 T20 series reverse, with the mainly fresh-faced Proteas outfit gaining much-needed experience at the highest level. South Africans will be hoping that the lessons learned leave the team in good stead with the two tests against Sri Lanka, promptly followed by a gruelling festive series against Pakistan.

TEMBA BACK

The Proteas welcomed back their courageous captain Temba Bavuma but are without Lungi Ngidi for the rest of the summer due to a groin injury. The Sri Lanka incoming series opens on 27 November in Durban, followed by Gqeberha on December 5, where Dhananjaya de Silva’s charges will hope to shock South Africa on their patch.

Adding to the spark of the series is the fact that Sri Lanka hired former SA opening batter Neil McKenzie as their batting consultant for this duel.

Sri Lanka has proven a formidable foe this season. Since beating India at home in August (ODI 2-0), they’ve gone on to win series against New Zealand (Test 2-0) and the West Indies (T20I 2-1). They also claimed a 2-0 ODI series win in New Zealand before travelling to South Africa.

The Proteas Women also reignite their Summer of Cricket, having kicked the festivities off with a historic back-to-back ICC Women’s World Cup final appearance in the UAE. Laura Woolvaardt and her teammates take on England with a clear mandate to right the wrongs of group stage defeat to the same opponents at the same tournament.

SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha said: “SuperSport is thrilled to provide the Summer of Cricket with using its unmatched and cutting edge live sports capabilities. We are owning the Summer of Cricket, bringing fans an exciting mix of international and domestic cricket, women as well as men.

It’s a mix to savour for the fans, which will carry through to 2025, when Betway SA20 Season 3 begins and conclude with the ICC Champions Trophy, where our boys will hope to get over the line after making the final in the T20 Men’s World Cup this year. It’s truly been an incredible season of cricket and it’s only just begun.”

BROADCAST DETAILS

SuperSport will also broadcast all five tests of the India tour of Australia currently on the go. India claimed the first test in Perth with a 295-run victory inspired by Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. The second test begins at the Adelaide Oval on 6 December.

With the DStv Stream App, SuperSport makes cricket more accessible than ever, allowing fans to watch from anywhere. DStv’s exciting Get More special between 1 and 30 November 2024 means DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact subscribers get upgraded to DStv Premium at no extra charge, so there’s no reason to miss out on the exciting cricket on offer.

As Africa’s foremost broadcaster and a global leader in sports entertainment, SuperSport is set to deliver an unforgettable Summer of Cricket.

And, get ready to Welcome the Incredible with Season 3 of the Betway SA20.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SUMMER OF CRICKET LINEUP:

Incoming tours: A full tour by Pakistan, with the iconic, unmissable Pink Day ODI set for

22 December will set pulses racing as the Proteas look to please an expectant home crowd.

The Betway SA20 League: From 9 January to 8 February, 2025, the third edition of Betway SA20 will take place, now hailed as the second most significant franchise competition after the IPL. Viewers can expect global cricket stars and legendary SuperSport commentators like Stuart Broad, Kevin Pietersen, Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini.

2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan beginning 19 February to 9 March – the ninth edition of the only ICC senior men’s international trophy the Proteas (inaugural winners in 1998) have won and will be looking to reclaim.

#HereForHer: Continuing SuperSports’ mission to further the role of women in sport, renowned cricket commentator, presenter and analyst Natalie Germanos has joined Your World of Champions, adding to a stellar cast of female talent that includes Kass Naidoo, Kriya Gangiah and Crystal Arnold.

Innovative features: For the first time in international cricket, SuperSport introduced a drone camera during the SA v India series, along with the Buggy Cam, a popular feature in SA20 broadcasts. These cutting-edge technologies enhanced the viewing experience, ensuring fans didn’t miss a single moment.

Fans can look forward to Iqakamba on SuperSport Unplugged, a unique cricket analysis podcast in IsiXhosa, featuring Proteas legends such as Makhaya Ntini and Mfuneko Ngam, celebrating South Africa’s rich cricket heritage.

PROTEAS VS SRI LANKA TEST SERIES FIXTURES:

Wednesday, 27 November – 1 December, 9:30am – Kingsmead, Durban

Thursday, 5 December – 9 December, 10:30am – St George’s Park, Gqeberha

PROTEAS W V ENGLAND W T20 SERIES FIXTURES:

Wednesday, 27 November, 6pm – Willowmore Park, Benoni

Saturday, 30 November, 6pm – SuperSport Park, Centurion