[ad_1]
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated.
PAARL – Two members of England’s cricket tour group in South Africa tested positive for COVID-19 and the first rescheduled one-day international match was canceled on Sunday.
The match in Paarl was supposed to have opened the series after the first match scheduled for Friday in Cape Town was canceled just before the game started after a South African player tested positive for coronavirus.
Cricket South Africa and the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a joint statement that two members of the England touring group had tested positive for the virus, although further testing was required.
READ: SA, England ODI series will go ahead after negative tests
It was unclear if those involved were England players.
“Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have agreed to cancel today’s Betway One-Day International Series Opening Match, which was to take place in Paarl,” the governing bodies said in a statement. .
Ashley Giles, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, said: “We regret not being able to play in today’s ODI, but the well-being of the players and support staff is our primary concern and while we await the results of additional medical tests. Advice from both teams was that this game should not take place.
“We are in constant dialogue with Cricket South Africa and will continue to work closely with them to determine the best way forward.”
CSA said England’s players and management underwent an additional round of testing on Saturday night after two staff members at their hotel tested positive for the virus.
Former England captain Mike Atherton, now a commentator and journalist, said he feared the entire series could be threatened.
Atherton said the new positive cases had “increased” the concern that England’s field already felt after the opening game was postponed.
“Certainly this game is off and I would be pessimistic about the other games,” Atherton said.
