South Africa vs England 1st ODI Abandoned After More COVID-19 Cases Resurface

The first ODI between South Africa and England has been abandoned after more coronavirus cases emerged in the bio-bubble. It is worth noting that the first ODI was originally slated to take place on December 04. However, on the very day, the ODI was postponed as a member of the South African squad had tested positive for COVID-19.

Now, after the games was once again scheduled to start on Sunday, the game was officially abandoned as more coronavirus cases have emerged in the bio-bubble that has been looking after the entire tour. This comes as a major setback for global cricketing action as the Coronavirus had halted the sport for the majority of the duration this year.

More COVID Cases In The Bio-Bubble Lead To The Abandonment Of The First ODI Between England And South Africa

England’s tour of South Africa hit another major crisis mode on Sunday after the first one-day international in Paarl was abandoned 30 minutes before the start of play due to two members of staff at the team hotel testing positive for Covid-19. The England Cricket Team had already expressed concerns over the South Africa bio-bubble and now more breach of it has led to an unfortunate event.

Roy Davies, general manager of the Vineyard Hotel in Newlands, has confirmed further contract tracing has begun amid wide-spread uncertainty as to how the virus has entered the bubble and then seemingly spread.

Davies said, “At this stage, it is not clear how the staff members became infected as neither have left the biosecure area since 16 November and they do not work on the same team or in the same area. Our Covid response team is endeavouring to establish all the facts and contact tracing is underway. Our number one priority is the safety and wellbeing of our staff and guests and we have placed all our resources and efforts into investigating and resolving the situation.

The Infected Staff Has Been Isolated

“Both members of staff and a player who also tested positive on Friday have currently isolated in on-site apartments some distance from the hotel which have been kept sterilised and available for this purpose. We will issue further statements as more facts become available,” Davies further stated.

The England National Cricket Team had clean swept the Proteas in the T20I series as they beat them 3-0 in the series. It will be interesting to see if the English side will be keen to play more cricket in South Africa and there are concerns that the tour can also be called off.