The England cricket team toured South Africa for a four-match Test series, a five-match One Day International (ODI) series and two Twenty20 Internationals between 6 November 2009 and 18 January 2010. The tour was balanced throughout, with both the Twenty20 International and Test series being drawn, and England narrowly winning the ODI series 2–1.
By levelling the Test series with victory in the final Test, South Africa retained the Basil D'Oliveira Trophy they had earnt in England in 2008. Despite the decision made in 2008 to grant Test series between South Africa and England "icon" status, and thus comprise five Test matches and only three ODI matches, the tour retained the previous balance of four Tests and five ODIs.
A quiet, friendly series erupted with controversy in the third and fourth Tests of the series. On the third day of the third Test, television images showed Stuart Broad standing on the ball, and fellow England pace-bowler James Anderson picking at the leather of the ball, causing South Africa to raise concerns about the condition of the ball, and the actions of the England duo. After some delay, the South African team announced that they were not making an official complaint to the International Cricket Council (ICC), who in turn confirmed that the matter was closed. In the fourth Test, after an apparent nick by Graeme Smith was taken by wicket-keeper Matt Prior, the umpire Tony Hill turned down the appeal, and third umpire Daryl Harper upheld Hill's decision on review. However, TV replays showed an audible noise as the ball passed the bat. England announced that they would lodge an official complaint with the ICC, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) asking for the review to be reinstated. The ICC defended Harper, but said that it would launch a "full and comprehensive investigation" into the incident after the match.
Squads Batsmen Andrew Strauss (captain) Alastair Cook (vice-captain) Ian Bell Michael Carberry Paul Collingwood Joe Denly Eoin Morgan Kevin Pietersen Jonathan Trott
All-rounders Adil Rashid Luke WrightWicket-keepers Steve Davies Matt Prior
Bowlers James Anderson Tim Bresnan Stuart Broad Mark Davies Sajid Mahmood Graham Onions Liam Plunkett Ryan Sidebottom Graeme Swann James Tredwell Batsmen Graeme Smith (captain) Hashim Amla Loots Bosman AB de Villiers JP Duminy Herschelle Gibbs Ashwell Prince Alviro Petersen
All-rounders Johan Botha Jacques Kallis Ryan McLaren Albie MorkelWicket-keepers Mark Boucher Heino Kuhn
Bowlers Yusuf Abdullah Friedel de Wet Paul Harris Charl Langeveldt Roelof van der Merwe Morné Morkel Makhaya Ntini Wayne Parnell Dale Steyn Lonwabo Tsotsobe
T20I series 1st T20I
2nd T20I
ODI series 1st ODI
2nd ODI
3rd ODI
4th ODI
5th ODI
Test series
1st Test
2nd Test
3rd Test
4th Test
Tour matches 50-over: England XI v Diamond Eagles
50-over: England XI v Chevrolet Warriors
20-over: England XI v South Africa A
50-over: England XI v South Africa A
2-day: England XI v South African Airways Challenge XI
Media coverage Television Supersport – South Africa Sky Sports – United Kingdom and Ireland Ten Sports – India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Sky Sport – New Zealand Fox Sports – Australia
References