SA vs BAN: South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder And Sarel Erwee Test COVID Positive; Substituted In Ongoing Bangladesh Test

South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder and opener Sarel Erwee tested COVID positive ahead of day four of the second and final Test against Bangladesh at St George’s Park on Monday. This was confirmed by the South Africa team medical officer Dr Shuaib Manjra.

South Africa scored 453 runs in their first innings of the second and final Test match thanks to 70 from Dean Elgar and half-centuries from Keegan Petersen, Temba Bavuma, and top-scorer Keshav Maharaj who contributed 84 runs. Taijul Islam picked 6/135 for Bangladesh.

In reply, Bangladesh made 217 runs with Mushfiqur Rahim making 51, Tamim Iqbal making 47 and Yasir Ali making 46 runs. Proteas bowlers Simon Harmer and Wiaan Mulder picked three wickets each. South Africa, in their second innings, declared on 176/6 with Sarel Erwee making 41 and Kyle Verreynne making 39 runs, while Taijul Islam picked 3/67 for Bangladesh.

Khaya Zondo, Glenn Stuurman Makes Their South Africa Test Debut As Sarel Erwee And Wiaan Mulder Go Into Isolationin Team Hotel

Opening batter Sarel Erwee and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder fell ill overnight and tested positive for COVID before the start of the day’s play. Erwee, who has already batted twice in the match, will be substituted by Khaya Zondo for his Test debut, while Mulder is replaced by seamer Glenton Stuurman.

Zondo, who has played six ODIs, makes his debut in the format while Stuurman, who played his first Test in Christchurch in February, earns a second cap.

The International Cricket Council allows for players to be substituted under these circumstances and both teams agreed that the regulation will be in place prior to the tour. This will allow Glenn Stuurman to bowl in the second innings of Bangladesh as they try to chase down the 413-run target.

The Cricket South Africa (CSA) released an official statement in which team doctor Dr. Shuaib Manjra said:

“This is an unfortunate situation, but not unexpected after the decision was made to have this tour under the Managed Event Environment (MEE) protocol, rather than the strict Bio-safe Environment (BSE) Protocol as was previously the case. This is in line with the country’s policy in revoking the Disaster Management Act with reference to the pandemic, as well the huge mental strain that a bubble environment induces. The two players are currently in quarantine at the team hotel and are under the care of the team’s medical staff.”

At the time of writing this piece, Bangladesh were 69/7 in their chase of 413 runs.

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