SA vs ENG 1st ODI postponed to December 6 after a South Africa player tests positive for COVID-19

The first One-Day International of the three-match series between South Africa and England was scheduled to be played on Friday. However, it has now been postponed to Sunday (December 6) after one of the South Africa players tested positive for COVID-19. The results of the last round of scheduled testing arrived ahead of the ODIs and the game was called off an hour before the toss.

It is the first instance since international cricket resumed in July earlier this year with the Test series between England and West Indies. Bio-secure bubbles were created and even the likes of Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Indian Premier League (IPL) took place unscathed. However, Jofra Archer was left out of one of the Tests during the series against West Indies for the breach of COVID protocols.

CSA released the statement

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has released an official statement regarding the same and stated that the first ODI will now be played on Sunday. England players had reached the stadium ahead of the series opener but they had to return to their hotel rooms after the decision was made.

“Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the England Cricket Board (ECB) would like to announce the postponement of the first Betway One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series to Sunday, 06 December 2020. This decision results from a player from the Proteas team testing positive for COVID-19 after the teams’ last round of scheduled testing performed on Thursday ahead of the ODIs.

“In the interests of the safety and well-being of both teams, match officials and all involved in the match, the Acting CEO of CSA, Kugandrie Govender as well as the CEO of the ECB, Tom Harrison, have agreed to postpone the first fixture to Sunday,” the statement read.

The second ODI was set to be played on Sunday. But now it has been rescheduled to Monday (December 7) while the final game of the tour will take place on Wednesday (December 9).