One South Africa player tests positive for coronavirus ahead of England series

England are all set to take on South Africa in three ODIs and three Twenty20 Internationals starting on November 27 behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, even before a ball has been bowled, the coronavirus has struck. According to a release by Cricket South Africa, one player who has not been named has tested positive for the coronavirus. In accordance with the protocol, two players who were close to him have also been placed under self-isolation. The decision was taken based on the risk assessment undertaken by the medical team. CSA has not revealed the identities of players who have been put into self-isolation.

"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. 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. CSA can confirm that approximately 50 COVID-19 PCR tests were performed on players and support staff prior to entering the bio-safe environment in Cape Town for their upcoming limited-overs tour against England. The testing is in line with fulfilling the organisation’s obligation and commitment to its duty of care to its team and to the broader public in controlling the spread of the virus," Cricket South Africa said in an official statement.

No replacements

Cricket South Africa has clarified that two replacement players will be included in the squad. The decision to add replacement players was taken for the purpose of the inter-squad practice matches that will be played on Saturday, 21 November 2020. The players who have been put under isolation would not be replaced for the series against England.

This will be the first series that will be played in South Africa, a country that has suffered the worst impact of the coronavirus in Africa. England will be the first team to tour South Africa amidst the pandemic and this will be their first international series in eight months following the series against Australia in which they lost the T20I series 1-2 but whitewashed Australia 3-0.