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- South Africa’s ODI series against England has been postponed as a result of numerous coronavirus fears.
- England won the T20 series 3-0 and was ready to face the Proteas in three ODIs.
- Members of the Proteas and English camps have tested positive for coronavirus in recent days.
the Proteas’ ODI series of three games against England it has been postponed without a ball being called thanks to the numerous coronavirus scares in recent days.
The news was confirmed by Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday.
The series was originally due to begin in Newlands last Friday but, on the day of that match, it was confirmed that a member of the Proteas squad had tested positive for the coronavirus and that the start of the series would therefore be delayed until on Sunday. in Paarl.
He was the third Proteas player to test positive for the virus since the starting squad for the limited overs series was announced, which included three T20s and all three ODIs.
The T20 series went ahead and the Proteas lost 3-0.
Then on Sunday in Paarl, it was confirmed that two hotel employees at the Vineyard Hotel, Cape Town’s biobubble base for both the Proteas and England, had also returned positive results, while two English players had also returned results. unconfirmed positives. .
That saw Paarl’s game scrapped while, later Sunday, it was confirmed that Monday’s clash at Newlands, which effectively would have been the second ODI, was also postponed.
By Monday afternoon, sanity prevailed and the inevitable result of a series suspension was reached, for now.
According to the CSA statement, CSA and the ECB “will now work together to determine when the three-game series, which is part of the ICC Men’s Super League of Cricket, may take place in the future.”
“Concern about the mental health impact of recent events on everyone involved is not something that we, as the CSA or the ECB, take lightly and the decision to postpone the tour is the most responsible and reasonable course of action. for us, “said the acting CEO of CSA. , Kugandrie Govender.
“I would like to thank the ECB for the continued positive relations and we look forward to welcoming the England team in the near future.”
Meanwhile, ECB Chief Executive Tom Harrison stressed that the well-being of the players and the administration was the priority.
“We were concerned about the potential impact that recent developments could have on the well-being of the touring group, so after consulting with Cricket South Africa, we have made a joint decision to postpone the remaining matches of this Series, in the best interest of the players. “Well-being,” he said.
“I would like to thank Cricket South Africa for their support and understanding in this matter and I look forward to working with them to identify a time when we can play these games again in the future.”
Meanwhile, there was still no clarity on the two unconfirmed positive results that were obtained from the England field.
