South Africa vs India Test And ODI Series To Be Played Behind Closed Doors: CSA

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that the upcoming three Tests and three ODIs between South Africa and India will be played behind closed doors with no spectators in the stadium. This is despite regulations in the country allowing for a maximum of 2000 fully-vaccinated fans in sports venues.

The CSA mentioned that it was a joint decision of them and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to hold the matches behind closed doors for the safety of players and the reliability of the bio-bubble. India is supposed to play three Tests with the first beginning on Boxing Day in Centurion, the second on January 3^rd in Johannesburg, and the final Test from Jan 11 in Cape Town.

The three ODIs are slated to be played on January 19, 21, and 23.

“Regrettably, CSA wishes to inform the most ardent fans of cricket as well as all sports lovers that owing to the increasing Covid cases around the world, and the fourth wave locally, the two cricketing bodies have taken a joint decision to protect the players and the tour by NOT making tickets available for the India vs Proteas offerings,” a CSA statement read.

“This decision was taken in order to avoid any breaches that could compromise the tour from a Covid-risk perspective and to also maintain a hazard-free bubble environment,” it added.

The concern is about the Gauteng province, where the Omicron variant of COVID is prevalent and which will host two of the three Tests between India and South Africa.

CSA Seeking Alternative Public Viewing Activations For Fans To View Cricket

The hospitality suites will be open as CSA has to fulfill contractual obligations with corporate partners. However, they will be subject to current restrictions for indoor venues, which limit capacity to 50%.

Apart from this, they are looking to entertain the fans who want to watch the Proteas play the Indian team on the lines of fan parks.

The CSA statement said: “As part of ongoing efforts to increase the reach of cricket, CSA is exploring other alternative public viewing activations which will ensure that a limited number of fans are able to enjoy the summer cricket atmosphere with other fans via activation sites, while still observing the strictest safety measures and exercising duty of care. CSA will announce the available alternative public viewing activations as soon as the relevant approvals have been secured.”

This will be the second summer of cricket in South Africa without fans in attendance as they had hosted Sri Lanka for two Tests and Pakistan for a limited-overs series in the 2020-21 festive season. The rainbow nation has been battered by the Omicron variant of Coronavirus and has been recording 17,000 cases a day.

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