Sunday’s One Day international between South Africa and England in Paarl has been abandoned after two hotel workers in the teams’ bio-secure environment tested positive for the coronavirus, match host broadcaster reported.
The start of the game was initially delayed while officials waited for the results of a new round of testing from the England camp, before the decision was made to cancel the game altogether, says the sport broadcaster.
The reminder of the series is scheduled for matches at Newlands on Monday and Wednesday.
Cricket South Africa and the @englandcricket have agreed to delay the start time for today’s One-Day International match, which is due to take place in Paarl. #SAvENG #BetwayODI pic.twitter.com/8JNGvyLlhL
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 6, 2020
It is the fourth COVID-19 related incident on the six-match white-ball tour, two of which occurred in the South Africa camp before the matches started. It is the second involving a bio-secure environment.
The tour is providing much-needed revenue for embattled CSA, who have already had to cut short a money-spinning visit to India, and missed out on trips to Sri Lanka and the West Indies due to the coronavirus.
South Africa and England completed a three-match Twenty20 International series this week that was won 3-0 by the visitors, and were due to play three more ODIs.
The first was due to start on Friday but was postponed after an unnamed South Africa player tested positive in the bio-secure environment, the same hotel that the two teams are sharing – though they are being kept separate. That meant a fresh round of tests that were conducted on Friday night, with South Africa given a clean bill of health.
