The first ODI between South Africa and England, to be played on Friday in Cape Town, was postponed after a South African player tested positive for Covid-19. The decision to postpone the match was confirmed by Cricket South Africa on Twitter.
“In the interest of the safety and well-being of both teams, the match officials and everyone involved in the match, CSA Acting Executive Director Kugandrie Govender as well as ECB Executive Director Tom Harrison agreed to postpone the first party to Sunday.
“This decision is due to a Proteas team player testing positive for COVID-19 after the last round of scheduled team testing that took place on the Thursday before the #BetwayODI series.
“Cricket South Africa and @ECB_cricket confirm the postponement of the first #BetwayODI of the three-game series until Sunday, December 6, 2020,” wrote Cricket South Africa on Twitter.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) said the latest round of testing on Thursday resulted in an anonymous South African player obtaining a positive result, the third within camp during the series of six-game limited overs.
The teams had traveled to the stadium to prepare for the match, but it was officially called off an hour before kickoff.
The player in question will be cut off from the group and a round of retesting will likely take place ahead of what is now the series opener in Paarl on Sunday.
It means there will be back-to-back ODIs on Sunday and Monday in Paarl and Cape Town, before the series is completed in Newlands on Wednesday.
The decision highlights the South African camp and its protocols during a tour that will provide much-needed income for a struggling CSA.
Two players tested positive before the Twenty20 International series that began on November 27 and beat England 3-0.
Even more worrying will be the positive case within the safe hotel biobubble, where both teams have been based since November 17.
(with input from Reuters)
.
