South Africa CANCEL their inter-squad practice match on Saturday ahead of six money-spinning meetings with England after a second player tests positive for Covid-19… with four stars now in self-isolation ahead of first T20 game in Cape Town
- South Africa take on England in the first of six white-ball matches next Friday
- The hosts were planning on having a practice match on Saturday afternoon
- The match is off after a second South Africa player tested positive for Covid-19
- Four members of South Africa’s squad are now in self-isolation due to the virus
Cricket South Africa have called off their practice match on Saturday after a second member of their squad to face England tested positive for Covid-19.
The first player tested positive earlier this week, and was put into self-isolation in Cape Town along with two team-mates who were considered ‘close contacts’ by the South African medical team.
But with CSA taking absolutely no risks as they seek to stage six money-spinning white-ball games against England, starting with the first T20 international at Cape Town next Friday, the latest player to test positive has been moved to ‘separate, appropriate accommodation with immediate effect’.
Cricket South Africa have called off Saturday’s practice match ahead of the England matches
A second member of South Africa’s squad to face England tested positive for Covid-19
A statement from the board added: ‘Team management and Cricket South Africa are in close communication with their counterparts from the England Cricket Board to ensure full transparency and the most responsible plan of action going forward.
‘To that end, the inter-squad practice match that was scheduled for Saturday, 21 November has been cancelled.
The two players – Marco Marais and Stefan Tait – who were called up to the camp to assist the team in their preparation for the practice match after the results of the first COVID-19 testing on Monday were released, will no longer be joining the team.
Eoin Morgan (above)’s England are visiting ahead of six money-spinning white-ball games
‘CSA would like to reiterate that it will not release names of affected players because of Dr-patient confidentiality.’
An ECB spokesman said: ‘All COVID-19 tests administered from the England camp earlier this week all returned negative results.
‘Our plans continue and the team are preparing to play our first intra-squad warm-up match as normal at Newlands tomorrow.’