Kallis-Ponting trophy possible in the near future

File Pic: Jacques Kallis(R) shakes hands with Ricky Ponting

Cricket South Africa CEO, Haroon Lorgat has opened talks with Cricket Australia (CA) chairman Wally Edwards on deciding whether the next South Africa-Australia series could be renamed as Kallis-Ponting Trophy and also talked about playing a longer Test series which could feature four matches.

“You’ve got to recognise the quality of the cricket, I think [in the recent series won 2-1 by the Baggy Greens in SA]. It’s not a bad stepping stone to have recognised quality by (adding) another Test or two. That principle might come out.”

“We initiated it [the discussions]… Wally was very excited when we chatted at Newlands a few days ago. There is agreement that we want to enhance the narrative around series between our countries; for example, a proper naming of the series, like the Kallis-Ponting Trophy, is gaining momentum,” Lorgat said.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) are also trying to conduct a 5-Test series against England, instead of 4-Test series.

“The great challenge is obviously to find the time and space on the international calendar to fit in [expanded Test series]. There is always pressure on the calendar over the peak Test time of December and January [in the southern hemisphere].” Lorgat added.