Cricket South Africa confirms two COVID-19 positive cases from the national team

In the wake of the corona wave that has shaken the world in every sense, the Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed two positive COVID-19 cases from the team’s national side. The two players were among those who were set to be part of squad camp already going on in the country. CSA has in total tested 50 players for coronavirus prior to camp which began on Tuesday, August 18 and will stretch till Saturday, August 22.

CSA has kept the name of the COVID-19 positive players confidential due to privacy concerns. The camp is an effort to strengthen bonding and trust between players and came in effect when CSA came under heavy criticism from a few former players. The players alleged CSA for having racist culture within the side, and yet no one spoke of it so far.

“There were no replacements made for the two players who tested positive. All those unable to attend the camp will join the proceedings virtually,” CSA said in a statement as quoted by Times Now. Another player missing from the squad would be former captain Faf du Plessis due to the birth of his second child.

How did the topic of racial discrimination rise in cricket?

The heavy criticism started falling on CSA after African-American George Floyd was brutally murdered by police officials on the streets of the USA. The ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement caught fire across the world, and players starting coming up with their experience of facing racism in the cricket world. Earlier this year, West Indies’ Daren Sammy also made the headlines after he alleged IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad for subjecting him to racial discrimination.

However, in the latest turn of events, Sammy has bonded with players especially Ishant Sharma, who was under high scrutiny amid the allegation. Former Proteas skipper Graeme Smith and now director of CSA has stated that he was completely unaware of any such racial discrimination in the team during his 11-year stint.

Due to the COVID-19 halt, the South African team has missed a lot of Tests and limited-overs series against India, Sri-Lanka, and West Indies. Many leading players from the Proteas team are under contract to play in the upcoming season of IPL commencing next month.