South Africa
South Africa [Photo-Twitter]

Two South African cricketers have tested positive for COVID-19 and will consequently miss a specially-arranged culture camp, the country’s cricket board said on Thursday. Cricket South Africa (CSA), however, did not disclose the name of the two players.

Both the players have been sent into isolation as per the protocols. The board also announced that there would be no replacements for the two players while players who are unable to attend the camp physically, could join the proceedings virtually.

CSA had conducted 50 tests on players and support staff before the team’s culture camp in Skukuza from August 18 to 22. The camp, which features 32 players, focuses on the team’s “identity, environment and performance goals”.

“The testing is in line with fulfilling the organisation’s obligation and commitment to control the spread of the virus,” the CSA said in a press release.

“There were no replacements made for the two players who tested positive. All those unable to attend the camp will join the proceedings virtually,” added the cricket board.

The culture camp was organised amid increasing racial polarisation in South African cricket, which has come to the fore once again. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, several big names from South African cricket have revealed their stories of being discriminated because of their skin colour.

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Lungi Ngidi
Lungi Ngidi (Credits: Getty)

The movement was brought to prominence by fast bowler Lungi Ngidi. After raising his voice in support of the movement, Ngidi had received backlash from ex-South African cricketers Rudi Steyn, Pat Symcox and Boeta Dippenaar. But the right-arm pacer soon received support from others with former stars like Makhaya Ntini and Ashwell Prince being among the players who shared their experience of racial discrimination.

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