South Africa’s home season has been jeopardized after the series between Proteas and England was cancelled recently due to COVID-19 fears. The two teams were set to lock horns in the three-match ODI series, which was scheduled to start from December 4 at Boland Park, Paarl, while the last 2 ODIs were to take place in Cape Town.
However, after an unnamed player from the South African camp, tested positive for the coronavirus, the 1st ODI was pushed back from its originally scheduled starting date of December 4, to Sunday, December 6. But on Sunday, Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed that two members of England’s touring party had returned with unconfirmed positive tests for COVID-19 after the cancellation of the 1st ODI against England. Subsequently, the series between South Africa and England was cancelled and the announcement about the same was made by the ICC.
Now, according to a recent report by ESPNcricinfo, the Sri Lankan team who are supposed to play a two-match Test series in South Africa starting December 20, are considering withdrawing from the tour or offering to host South Africa at home instead of going to South Africa. Sri Lanka Cricket is concerned about the safety of their players after England’s withdrawal from the tour.
Moreover, they are hosting England in a Test match in Galle 10 days after their scheduled return from South Africa, which is why they can’t risk the home series as it has already been postponed once. If they do so, they will take a serious hit financially. The Sri Lankan cricket’s medical staff is set to speak to the ECB’s medical staff to know in-depth about the nature of CSA’s protocols. If SLC medical staff is content with CSA’s arrangements and protocols, the tour is likely to go ahead as scheduled.
