England-South Africa awarded 'icon' status

Future Test series between South Africa and England have been granted 'icon' status by Cricket South Africa and the England & Wales Cricket Board with the support of the ICC.

This means that the forthcoming Test series to be played in South Africa in 2009-10 between the two countries will consist of five Test matches rather than the four being played in the current series. In 1994 there was only a three-Test series between the two countries, which is the normal requirement under the ICC's Future Tours Programme.

"This is a wonderful recognition for the standard of South African cricket," said Cricket South Africa president, Norman Arendse. "It is also recognition of the form the South African Test squad has shown in recent months.

"It is also important to emphasise the fact that Test cricket remains the ultimate level of international competition and this is born out by this latest agreement between our two boards."

All Test series between South Africa and England have been intensely contested since South Africa's re-admission to world cricket. There have been six series between the two countries with each side winning two and the other two being shared.

ICC's chief executive Haroon Lorgat added: "ICC warmly welcomes this accord between the ECB and Cricket South Africa. Test cricket remains the supreme test of individual players and teams. The support for the current series in England demonstrates that the general public shares our view that test cricket remains at the heart of world cricket."

ECB chief executive David Collier added: "ECB warmly welcomes the invitation to play five Test matches and three one-day internationals in South Africa on our next tour. ECB has consistently stated that Test matches are the pinnacle of world cricket and this agreement demonstrates our commitment to that principle."

Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, concluded: "Not only am I delighted that the England v South Africa series now has icon status but also that the series will be played for the D'Oliviera Trophy in honour of a player whose determination, character and ability encapsulated everything that is required to succeed at Test level."