Sad news for fans: ENG vs SA series called off on medical grounds after a spike in Coronavirus
England tour of South Africa has been called off with an immediate effect to ensure players’ mental health from both teams and the staff members. It is a combined decision from both the CSA and ECB cricket board after a sudden rise in Corona cases.
The remainder One Day International series between England and South Africa has been postponed after the Covid-19 outbreak. The news has been confirmed in a press release by ECB on Monday. The series called off with an immediate effect after one-half of the scheduled fixtures have completed.
The press release from ECB on Monday gave a statement:
“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.”
The first ODI match was scheduled for Friday, December 4th. It was postponed after one South African player tested positive for the Coronavirus. The ODI match was rescheduled for December 6th, and it was abandoned after two hotel staff members came out positive for the Covid-19 virus. The remaining two ODI from the scheduled matches on December 7th and 9th has also been postponed.
‘The best interest of players’
“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,”
said the press release.
CSA also confirmed on Sunday that two members of the England squad have also returned unconfirmed positive tests.
At the start of the tour, Eng and SA played three T20I’s, which England had white-washed South Africa by 3-0.
The CEO of CSA, Kugandrie Govender, said:
“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.”
Tom Harrison, the ECB CEO, also 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.”
