This ends a tumultuous period of cricket operations for South Africa amid the pandemic.
The remainder of the England tour of South Africa has been canceled, it was announced on Monday (December 7). In a joint statement, CSA and ECB stated that the decision to suspend the remainder of the series was made to ensure the mental and physical health and well-being of the players of both teams.
As the three-match series is part of the ICC Men’s Cricket Super League, the boards will work together to determine if it can take place in the future.
CSA Acting CEO Kugandrie Govender said: “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 decide to postpone. touring is the most responsible and reasonable course of action for us.
“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.”
Tom Harrison, CEO of the ECB, added: “We have always held that the well-being of our players and leadership is paramount. We were concerned about the potential impact that recent developments could have on the well-being of the touring group, and so on after In consultation with Cricket South Africa, we have made the decision to postpone the remaining matches of this Series, in the interests of the well being of the players.
“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.”
All three T20Is were played as scheduled, but the three-game ODI series, which was due to start on Friday, was delayed three times in four days due to positive tests for Covid-19 in both squads and at their shared hotel in Ciudad del Cape. .
The decision to abandon the tour is a crushing blow to CSA’s hopes of reigniting the game after the pandemic. Sri Lanka, Australia and Pakistan are due to tour in the coming weeks, but will surely reconsider in the wake of the problems England encountered.
Three of the South Africans contracted the disease after the arrival from England on November 17. Since then, two England players have tested positive, along with two hotel workers.
More to follow …
.
