South Africa vs England ODI series cancelled due to Covid Threat. Three games ODI series was called off due to ranging threat. South Africa vs England ODI series cancelled due to Covid Threat.
England’s tour of South Africa for the ODI series got cancelled due to the Covid outbreak in the hotel in Cape Town after players tested positive for the virus. Both the parties have had members coming positive after the test.
On Monday, both the side confirmed the news to cancel the ODI series with mutual understanding. However, they added, to carry these games again in the near future if possible.
The opening game of the three games ODI series was scheduled for Friday which got postponed to Sunday after one unnamed member from the home team tested positive for the virus on the morning of the matchday.
The rescheduled game on Sunday was completely called-off after two members of the hotel staff tested positive where both teams were staying. Meanwhile, England players were taken for the new round of tests.
Two members of the visitors tested positive, ECB wanted to confirm the issue with the private medical team before taking any decision for the remaining games.
The head of both the parties was in constant touch to resolve the issue. They hoped to carry out the remaining two games but it doesn’t look possible after new positive cases.
Players safety is paramount, ECB CEO:
“ECB have always maintained that the welfare of our members and management is our first priority in any case,” England Cricket Board CEO Tom Harrison.
“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.”
“We were worried about the impacts of the recent cases of the virus on the wellbeing of the visitors. After the long talks and consultation with Cricket South Africa (CSA), we have jointly come to the decision to cancel the remaining games of the ODI series in the best interest of the players of both sides.”
It will be an embarrassing development for the host nation as they failed to maintain the “bio-secure” environment in the luxurious hotel in Cape Town. Three members from South Africa contracted the virus in mid-November.
South Africa and England successfully carried out three games Twenty20 series before the unfortunate series of events. England whitewashed the South Africans in the T20I series.
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