Wanderers loses England fixtures

The Wanderers in Johannesburg has lost its fixtures from England's tour later this year following the suspension of its international status after a dispute between the Gauteng Cricket Board (GCB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA).

The GCB had levelled allegations of mismanagement of the 2009 IPL at CSA chief executive Gerald Majola, the BCCI and the tournament organisers soon after the league ended. The GCB was told it would only have its hosting rights reinstated following an apology and that hasn't been forthcoming.

There are three matches affected; the first Twenty20 on November 13 which has been moved to Durban, the first ODI on November 20 now shifted to Bloemfontein and the fourth Test starting on January 14 which will be played in Port Elizabeth.

"These changes have been made in terms of a resolution taken last week by CSA's members forum to suspend all international matches at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg," said CSA president, Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka.

"The forum decided that the suspension will stand until the Gauteng Cricket Board apologises for its unwarranted criticism of the management of the 2009 IPL hosted in South Africa, and until it presents CSA with its conditions for hosting future international matches at the Wanderers Stadium which fall under the auspices of CSA.

"These two conditions have not been met, and consequently CSA has informed the ECB that the venues for three international matches against England later this year, which were scheduled for the Wanderers Stadium, have been changed."

An ECB spokesman said: "It's a matter for the home board." When England toured South Africa in 2004-05 it was at the Wanderers where they claimed the series-clinching victory as Matthew Hoggard bowled them a final day victory.