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National cricket in South Africa was suspended on Thursday after 10 of its 16 players Proteas equipment for the first test against Sri Lanka were exposed to Covid-19 during first-class matches this week.
With South Africa officially entering a second wave of coronavirus, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced that national matches would be halted until next month.
Three four-day games were to start on Sunday.
Five team members were in a game between the Dolphins and Titans that was abandoned after a day Monday when a Dolphins player tested positive.
Five other members of the test team played in a game between the Eagles and the Lions that was completed on Wednesday despite a Lions player testing positive on the third day of the game.
The only test team players who did not play last weekend or who played in a third match not affected by Covid-19 are Captain Quinton de Kock, former Captain Faf du Plessis, hitters Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne, and fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Glenton Stuurman.
South Africa’s home test series against Sri Lanka, which begins in Centurion on December 26, will go ahead as planned, but all team members will need to be screened before entering a biosecurity bubble.
Selector convener Victor Mpitsang said the test team will meet on Saturday.
“All the players will be tested before entering the bubble,” he said.
Mpitsang said some players may need to delay joining the rest of the team based on medical advice.
CSA cricket director Graeme Smith said the decision to postpone national matches was made in the interests of the health of players, support staff and stadium workers.
“CSA is committed to mitigating the impact of Covid-19 in the 2020/21 season, with the upcoming two-match test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka to be played in a biosecure environment, which is a more controlled space than the competition. national, “Smith said.
National players will have an extended break until the start of a one-day national competition, which begins on January 8.
