England’s cricket tour of South Africa was called off after a Covid-19 outbreak at the England tour party, both countries said Monday. The announcement came after the reorganized first match of the three-game series on Sunday was canceled after two members of the group on tour in England tested positive for the virus.
“Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have agreed to postpone the remaining matches of the current Betway One-Day International (ODI) Series,” a joint statement said.
“The decision was made jointly by the two Boards to guarantee the health and mental and physical well-being of the players of both teams.”
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England will return home without having played any of the three scheduled internationals in one day.
The decision to cancel the tour came after apparent violations of the biosecurity environment at the hotel in Cape Town where both teams are staying.
A South African player tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday. Two members of the hotel staff then tested positive before two members of the England tour group returned what was described as “unconfirmed positive tests” on Sunday.
The series was supposed to start in Cape Town on Friday, but that match was canceled an hour before the players took the field after the South African player tested positive.
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That first match was rescheduled and moved to Paarl on Sunday, but that match was canceled following positive results at the England camp.
Teams played three Twenty20 international matches without any issues prior to the Covid-19 outbreak.
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