CAPE TOWN: England’s ODI cricket series against South Africa was called off after an outbreak of COVID-19 cases at the supposedly bio-secure Cape Town hotel where both teams are staying.
According to details, one South African player and two hotel staff are confirmed COVID-19 cases from within the bio-secure hotel, while England informed that they had two unconfirmed positive results among their touring party.
The decision to cancel the series was taken by both the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA), the two federations said in a statement, and was made to ensure the mental and physical health and welfare of players from both teams.
The ECB and CSA said they were effectively postponing the series until a suitable time could be found for England to travel back to South Africa to play the games.
The South Africa team and Vineyard Hotel management said they had investigated how the coronavirus may have been contracted within the bio-secure environment without success, though they denied any players or staff had left the venue without authorisation.
The opening game of the series was scheduled for Friday at Newlands in Cape Town but was postponed to Sunday and moved to the nearby city of Paarl after a South African player tested positive for COVID-19 on the morning of the game.
Three South African players have tested positive during the tour, which began in mid-November — two of them after entering the supposedly secure environment.
South Africa’s failed bio-bubble might also have repercussions for future series, with Sri Lanka due to arrive late this year for a two-test series and Australia and Pakistan due to tour South Africa early next year.
The teams have already played a three-game Twenty20 series, which went ahead even after the first two South African players contracted COVID-19, and which England won 3-0.
