Western Province raises concerns over fifth ODI scheduling

The Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) has raised concerns with CSA over the hosting of the fifth ODI between South Africa and Australia on October 12, which falls on the same day as the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. While Newlands will stage the fixture as planned, officials have asked CSA not to schedule matches on important religious days in future.

"As Western Province, we are very respectful of every religious community in South Africa. We are aware that Yom Kippur is the most important day on the Hebrew calendar and clashes with the fifth One Day International. We have written to CSA and have raised our concerns about hosting the match on the most important day on the Jewish calendar," Nabeal Dien, CEO of WPCA, said in a statement. "Unfortunately, as an affiliate, the international itinerary is out of our control, but we have expressed our feelings to the national body. CSA will communicate our concerns about the date to the ICC, requesting that a possible oversight like that should not be repeated."

The fixture is the last one in the five-match series, which starts on Friday in Centurion, and will go ahead as planned with the start time scheduled for 1:30pm local time. Ticket sales for the match have not been revealed but the series is expected to generate significant interest. Sunday's second ODI at the Wanderers is close to being sold out.