South Africa Player Tests Positive Ahead Of England Series, Isolated Along With Two Other

Just few days before the start of the home series against England, one South Africa player has tested positive for Covid-19. The player and two others considered to be close contacts by South African team medical staff have all been placed in isolation in Cape Town.

As per the statement released by Cricket South Africa (CSA), all the three players are asymptomatic but doctors will continue to monitor them. The cricket board further stated that about 50 tests were carried out on players and support staff before entering their biosecure base in Cape Town.

“One player has returned a positive test result and two players were considered close contacts based on the risk assessment undertaken by the medical team,” the statement said.

“All three players have been placed in immediate isolation in Cape Town as part of the COVID-19 protocols. While all players are asymptomatic, CSA’s medical team will monitor them to ensure their health and well-being.

“At this stage, none of these players will be replaced for the tour, but two replacement players will be included into the squad for the purposes of the inter-squad practice matches that will be played on Saturday, 21 November,” added the statement.

Earlier this week, England landed in South Africa to begin their preparations. The visitors will play a 50-over warm-up on Saturday in Cape Town. An ECB spokesman confirmed on Wednesday that all Covid-19 tests carried out on the England squad members had returned negative results.

The action is scheduled to start on November 27 when both the teams lock horns  in the first of three T20Is, followed by three ODIs. All matches will be played between Newlands and Paarl. The upcoming series will be the first one for South Africa since action was halted in March in the wake of the outbreak. On the other hand, England have already played against the likes of Pakistan, Ireland, West Indies and Australia.

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