South Africa Skipper Temba Bavuma Confident About Playing In Bio-Secure Environment

South Africa white-ball skipper said he is confident about the bio-security environment in the country.  Sports events are being shut in South Africa after Omicron, the new COVID-19 variant, was detected in the country. Some governments like the United Kingdom (UK) have imposed travel restrictions after the news broke out. 

Amid concerns of the new COVID-19 variant, the Netherlands tour of South Africa was postponed after just playing the first ODI match, which was also washed away by rains.

Playing cricket in a BSE was a massive challenge for everyone: Temba Bavuma

Team India is scheduled to tour South Africa for a month-long multi-format tour starting on December 17.

The tour also looks doubtful after the Netherlands series was called off, but Bavuma said that playing in a bio-secure environment is the safest option.

“I’m confident that our BSEs (Bio-Security Environments) are of the highest safety standards,” Bavuma said on Wednesday, as quoted by news agency Reuters.

“Playing cricket in a BSE was a massive challenge for everyone involved in the game … CSA has to be commended for the way that they have gone about the BSEs,” he added.

It takes a toll on a player mentally: Dean Elgar

South Africa Test captain Dean Elgar said that the players will have to adapt to playing in the biosecure bubble despite it takes a mental toll on their health. 

“It takes a toll on a player mentally, and yet this team continues to produce good results and make progress – that’s something that I personally don’t think is being spoken about enough,” Elgar said.

“We don’t know how much longer we’ll be operating like this, but it’s gratifying to know that when tours come around, the health and safety of all involved is top priority,” he added.

However, India A tour of South Africa has been carried forward as the matches are being staged in Bloemfontein, which is in the southern part of the country, as the variant is found in the northern region.

Also Read: BCCI Waiting For Indian Government’s Approval For South Africa Tour, Series Could Be Reduced To 2 Tests: Reports