England Tour Of South Africa Postponed Midway After Covid Cases
South Africa vs England: The ODI series between South Africa and England was postponed on Monday to ensure "the mental and physical health and welfare of players from both teams," said ECB in a release.
Highlights
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England's tour of South Africa is postponed due to rise in COVID-19 cases
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At least three South Africa players have tested positive in last 3 weeks
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The first ODI on December 4 was postponed first before being abandoned
The One-day International series between South Africa and England has been postponed, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a release on Monday. The postponement effectively ends England's tour of South Africa with only one half of the scheduled fixtures completed. "Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have agreed to postpone the remaining matches in the current men's ODI Series. The decision was taken jointly by the two Boards to ensure the mental and physical health and welfare of players from both teams," read the ECB release. The first ODI scheduled for Friday, December 4 was postponed to Sunday after one South African player tested positive for COVID-19. Later, that ODI was abandoned altogether.
The remainder of the series, comprising two more ODIs scheduled for December 7 and 9, has now also been postponed.
"The CSA and ECB will now work together to determine when the three-match Series, which forms part of the ICC Cricket Men's Super League, can take place in the future," the release read.
The first ODI was abandoned after members of the hotel staff where England were based tested positive on Sunday, December 6.
CSA also confirmed on Sunday that two members of the England squad had retuned "unconfirmed positive tests."
Earlier, two South African players had tested positive on November 19 and November 21 in the lead-up to the three-match T20I series that began November 27.
The remining two T20Is were played on November 29 and December 1. England won the series 3-0.
"The concern over the mental health impact of recent events on all involved is not one that we as CSA or the ECB take lightly, and the decision to postpone the tour is the most responsible and reasonable course of action for us," said Cricket South Africa (CSA) acting CEOÂ Kugandrie Govender.
ECB chief Tom Harrison commented: "We have always maintained that the welfare of our players and management is paramount.
"We were concerned about the potential impact that recent developments might have on the wellbeing of the touring party, and so after consultation with Cricket South Africa, we have jointly made the decision to postpone the remaining matches in this Series, in the best interest of the players' welfare."
England Cricket Team
South Africa Cricket Team