Two members of the England touring party in South Africa have returned “unconfirmed positive tests” for COVID-19, as the first men’s ODI was cancelled because of a virus outbreak at the hotel where both teams are staying.
Key points:
- The first men’s ODI between South Africa and England had already been postponed because of a coronavirus scare
- The match was abandoned on Sunday following medical advice
- The remainder of the ODI series is now in doubt
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) did not release any names and did not say if the two members were players or officials.
The ECB said the two unconfirmed positive tests came after an additional round of testing on players and officials sparked by the news that two staff members at the Cape Town hotel used by both teams for the men’s series had tested positive for COVID-19.
“Two members of the England touring party have returned unconfirmed positive tests for COVID-19,” a joint ECB and Cricket South Africa (CSA) statement read.
“The players and management are now self-isolating in their rooms until further advice from the medical teams.
“The medical advice from both CSA and ECB is that the match cannot take place. A decision on the remaining matches in the series will be taken once the results of the tests are ratified independently by medical experts.”
The remainder of the tour is now in doubt after the first of three ODIs was already postponed from Friday after a South African player tested positive for COVID-19.
The South African, who was also not named, is the third Proteas player to test positive during England’s tour.
England is due to return home on Thursday.
The news that the two hotel staff members tested positive initially caused a delay to the start of Sunday’s match in the nearby city of Paarl.
It was later abandoned on the news regarding the two members of England’s party.
England men’s cricket managing director Ashley Giles said the welfare of the players and support staff was their primary concern.
“We remain in constant dialogue with Cricket South Africa and will continue to work closely with them to determine how best to move forward,” he said.
Two of the South African players who have tested positive on the tour returned their positive tests before the three-match Twenty20 series, which went ahead with England triumphing 3-0.
AP
