South Africa is about to host some unexpected international cricket.
The England women’s cricket team has moved its upcoming training camp from the United Arab Emirates to South Africa after the original trip was cancelled due to the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.

Instead, the squad will gather in Pretoria from 10 to 27 March for a preparation camp that will see players split into two teams for a five-match T20 intra-squad series.
The camp was originally intended as a warm-weather training block ahead of major international commitments later this year, but shifting the location means South Africa will now briefly become the base for one of the world’s leading women’s cricket sides.

Two full squads will take part in the series, with players competing against teammates in match conditions designed to sharpen skills and test combinations.
For local cricket fans, the move has sparked curiosity about whether the matches might be open to the public. At the time of writing, it is still unclear whether spectators will be allowed to attend, as the relocation happened at relatively short notice and the camp may take place at a training venue rather than a major stadium.

Even if the matches remain closed sessions, the presence of the England squad in South Africa highlights the country’s growing importance as a host for international women’s cricket. Over the past few years, South Africa has increasingly become a preferred destination for warm-weather camps and tournaments, not to mention our world-class hospitality.

For now, cricket fans will have to watch for updates from the relevant cricket boards to see whether any of the fixtures might become accessible.

If they do open to the public, Pretoria could briefly become one of the most interesting places in the world to watch women’s cricket this March.