1st ODI South Africa v England abandoned (again) due to hotel staff testing positive for COVID-19

[MenInG]

Start time : 11:00 AM GMT, 1:00 PM LOCAL


What to expect: A faster pitch than was seen in the two T20Is played at the ground. And more pressure on calling correctly at the toss: teams who have batted first have won 24 of the 33 day/night ODIs played at Newlands. Fielding first has been the successful option in only nine day/nighters. It's got to do with an abundance of moisture in night air, apparently.


Squads:

South Africa Squad: Quinton de Kock(w/c), Janneman Malan, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, JJ Smuts, Junior Dala, George Linde, Lutho Sipamla, Kyle Verreynne, Glenton Stuurman, Beuran Hendricks

England Squad: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), Jos Buttler(w), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Tom Curran, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Reece Topley, Lewis Gregory, Sam Billings, Olly Stone, Liam Livingstone

 

[Mobashir]

Why isn't Stokes playing?

 

[MenInG]

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.

 

[Ab Fan]

Oh dear! Not a good sign this.

 

[Savak]

You can't boycott a game just because a player tested positive. You have to learn and be brave enough to live with this pandemic now. Just isolate the affected player from the others and get a replacement and carry on with the game.

 

[Mamoon]

You can't boycott a game just because a player tested positive. You have to learn and be brave enough to live with this pandemic now. Just isolate the affected player from the others and get a replacement and carry on with the game.

Fortunately CSA is not irresponsible unlike PCB.

There are no guarantees that none of the other players are positive and didn’t catch the virus while training with this positive player.

So the safe option is to postpone this match.

 

[Indiafan]

You can't boycott a game just because a player tested positive. You have to learn and be brave enough to live with this pandemic now. Just isolate the affected player from the others and get a replacement and carry on with the game.

Yes people should die for a game. Are you hearing yourself? Because of selfish people 100s of thousands have died and their families will never see them again

You are being brave because you are young but you are selfish enough to want older and more vulnerable people to die

 

[silentkiller187]

Yes people should die for a game. Are you hearing yourself? Because of selfish people 100s of thousands have died and their families will never see them again

You are being brave because you are young but you are selfish enough to want older and more vulnerable people to die

How many sports players have died from contracting covid, and how many elder and vulnerable people have died from contracting a seasonal flu from a younger person? How many sports matches in history have been abandoned because someone caught a flu? What is the survival rate of covid 19, do you know how many people die a day from a viral infection or bacterial infection?

i don't agree or disagree with your comments either way, people may claim the response globally has gone over the top, conspiracies' have been mentioned, people are conforming without asking questions ? i am just playing devils advocate

 

[Savak]

Yes people should die for a game. Are you hearing yourself? Because of selfish people 100s of thousands have died and their families will never see them again

You are being brave because you are young but you are selfish enough to want older and more vulnerable people to die

The game is generating millions of dollars, creating employment and business opportunities. To cancel all this just because one person got infected is a reach, thousands cannot suffer because of one individual

 

[Hasan123]

Poor from whichever play broke protocol. Right decision to postpone the game. But I hope South Africa management deal with this player.

 

[shariqnoor]

That's standard protocol now. PCB postponed the PSL once cases increased back in March. That's how it will be until vaccines are rolled out.

 

[Saj]

Official Statement from ECB

Following the postponement of today's One-Day International between South Africa and England at Newlands, Ashley Giles, Managing Director, England Men's Cricket, has issued the following statement:

"On behalf of the England touring party and the ECB, I would like to thank Cricket South Africa for their collaborative approach to postponing today's One-Day International.

"Our number one priority is the health and safety of the England team and management group, and the correct decision was made following discussions between the two Boards and respective medical teams.

"The England party will remain at its base in Cape Town on Friday and Saturday, and we are hopeful that the three-match series will be played before we depart next Thursday starting with the match at Paarl on Sunday."

 

[aloo paratha]

Where's all the bashing and negativity for them breaking protocols? When our players did it I was told they were an embarrassment to the world.

 

[shamaan]

Yes people should die for a game. Are you hearing yourself? Because of selfish people 100s of thousands have died and their families will never see them again

You are being brave because you are young but you are selfish enough to want older and more vulnerable people to die

Why dont we just forget cricket until its totally clear then

 

[shamaan]

Where's all the bashing and negativity for them breaking protocols? When our players did it I was told they were an embarrassment to the world.

Exactly so true but the bashing wont happen as it isnt pakistan

 

[kingusama92]

Where's all the bashing and negativity for them breaking protocols? When our players did it I was told they were an embarrassment to the world.

I think it has more to do with guest vs. host.

Archer and now this player tested positive in their own countries. Plus, with one case you can lay the blame on the individual rather than blaming everyone.

Pakistan had multiple cases (up to 10 now) showing a complete breakdown of protocols across the board.

 

[aloo paratha]

I think it has more to do with guest vs. host.

Archer and now this player tested positive in their own countries. Plus, with one case you can lay the blame on the individual rather than blaming everyone.

Pakistan had multiple cases (up to 10 now) showing a complete breakdown of protocols across the board.

That's another problem I have. Punishing based off the results. WI players also broke the rules, it's by pure luck they didn't have anyone infected, and that we did. Where was WI warning when they broke the rules?

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

It happens in sport all around the world everyday. Players are humans and make mistakes - or those around them do.

No way England would play the game not knowing who else was infected in South Africa team. And rightly so.

Unfortunate if the tour gets canceled but this is always the risk.

 

[kingusama92]

That's another problem I have. Punishing based off the results. WI players also broke the rules, it's by pure luck they didn't have anyone infected, and that we did. Where was WI warning when they broke the rules?

I think they were less harsh because WI's bubble/testing worked before arriving in NZ. All of their players tested negative.

On the other hand, Pakistan's bubble and tests were a fail.

This likely ticked NZ off because not only did Pakistan's management fail, but so did the players. Just a complete failure from top to bottom.

 

[Snowflake]

Can't avoid instances like these. Just goes on to show, once again, that the reaction by NZ govt was over the top and unrealistic.

 

[MenInG]

The remainder of England's tour of South Africa was thrown into doubt on Friday when it was announced that a player had tested positive for coronavirus.

Friday's opening one-day international in Cape Town was postponed until Sunday, with the hope of completing the further two fixtures on Monday and Wednesday.

Is that likely? What happens now? And could the tour be called off?

What happened?
The three-match series was due to begin on Friday at 11:00 GMT at Newlands in Cape Town but the players did not make on to the field.

The England team bus arrived as news came through from the South Africa camp that a player had returned a positive Covid-19 test.

"They didn't get off the bus, which simply carried on around the ground and back to the hotel," said BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew.

The match was officially called off just before 10:00, the first time an England game has been postponed since they returned home early from Sri Lanka in March following the outbreak of the pandemic.

South Africa v England - what is the rearranged schedule?
Who is the player and how did he contract it?
South Africa have not revealed which player tested positive and they do not know how he contracted the virus.

Both teams have been living in separate areas of the same bio-secure hotel and are not able to mix with the public.

"This test surprised us because we have confidence in the integrity of bio-secure environment," team doctor Dr Shuaib Manjra told Cricket South Africa.

He said officials had been unable to identify the "source" and were were "speaking to the player, looking at security cameras and other information".

"I can categorically state no player is able to leave the hotel environment... unless leaving in an official vehicle with an official driver," Dr Manjra said.

"There is command centre here led by the colonel from the police force," he said. "They strictly enforce the bio-bubble and wouldn't allow anyone to leave."

Last month, two unnamed South Africa players tested positive before the Twenty20 series - which England won 3-0 - and were moved to separate accommodation. An intra-squad practice match was cancelled as a precaution.

Dr Manjra said England have "expressed a concern" and are "questioning the confidence they have in the bio-secure environment".

England director of men's cricket Ashley Giles said he agreed with the decision to postpone the series and that "our number one priority is the health and safety" of players and staff.

England managed to complete a full revised home schedule this summer with no home or opposition players testing positive, although pace bowler Jofra Archer breached bio-secure protocols when returning home between matches.

England responded by withdrawing him from the second Test against West Indies.

So what happens now?

All players and hotel staff will be re-tested on Saturday, although it is not known when the results will be available.

"The worry must be that the South Africa player concerned is not alone in testing positive," said Agnew. "Surely any positive results would scupper this series."

Neither England nor South Africa have commented on what would happen should another player test positive.

Giles said he is "hopeful" the series will go ahead, but there appears to be little leeway in rescheduling games again because England are set to fly home on Thursday.

It also seems unlikely that South Africa would have time to call up any replacement players, isolate them and get them tested before joining the squad.

Dr Manjra said South Africa intend to test their players again on Tuesday, 24 hours before the final match of the series.

Depending on what happens on Saturday, those tests may not be needed.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/55191122

 

[MenInG]

Proteas COVID-19 Test results

Saturday, 05 December 2020

Cricket South Africa (CSA) is pleased to announce that the entire Proteas team has returned negative results from the COVID-19 tests that were conducted yesterday evening in Cape Town ahead of the three-match, Betway One-Day International (ODI) series against England.

The series opener will get underway as scheduled at Eurolux Boland Park on Sunday at 10:00.

 

[MenInG]

The first ODI of the series between South Africa and England will be played at Boland Park in Paarl after the fixture on Friday at Newlands was postponed to Monday.

Overview
South Africa vs England, 1st ODI
Boland Park, Paarl
Sunday, 6 December, 10.00am local time, 08.00am GMT

Amidst concerns about the bio-secure environment, South Africa and England prepare for the first ODI after another player from the South African camp tested positive for COVID-19 resulting in the postponement of the fixture.


The release by CSA stated the following: "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 latest case is the third from the South African camp since the series was announced. It leaves them with fewer options for the first game against the current ODI world champions as they play their first ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League game. Faf du Plessis was released from the squad ahead of the ODIs after playing each of the three T20Is.

David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo are unavailable for selection while Reeza Hendricks and Pite van Biljon were also released from the squad. One option for the hosts would be to open with Quinton de Kock and Janneman Malan with Temba Bavuma filling in for Du Plessis at No.3.

The bowling attack is expected to be similar to the line-up they fielded in the T20Is, although Kagiso Rabada is ruled out with a groin strain. Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje will likely be joined by Lutho Sipamla, with Junior Dala and Glenton Stuurman both available as seam options. Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi will vie for a spot in the spin department. Dwaine Pretorius could come back into the side as the all-rounder at No.7 while George Linde’s impressive showing in the T20Is could see him being retained there.

England, meanwhile, are second in the Super League table with three wins and three losses and will be banking on their big-hitting batsmen yet again. They are without key personnel too with Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Sam Curran rested for the ODI leg of the tour. Lewis Gregory could be a handed an ODI debut in the absence of Stokes while Moeen Ali, who didn’t play the T20Is, could come in as the second spinner while also strengthening the batting.


Remember the last time

These sides met in an ODI series earlier this year in South Africa with the spoils shared after one game in the three-match series was washed out. South Africa won the first ODI after a century from Quinton de Kock and 98 from Temba Bavuma took them to a seven-wicket win. The second game was washed out while England won the third courtesy of a three-wicket haul from Adil Rashid and a half-century from Joe Denly, who was not included in the squad for this tour.


What they said:

Eoin Morgan (England captain): "Captains are different. You get captains that really enjoy the title, the power and the accolades that go with it, and then you have other captains that continue to be pushed and want to learn for the benefit of the team."

Charl Langeveldt (South Africa bowling coach): "For a young bowler, it's a great opportunity to test the mental aspect of the game. England are going to come hard at you. That's the nature of the way they play T20 cricket and 50-over cricket. So mentally you need to be strong. When you are under pressure, you need to be able to execute and they will learn from this. We've got work to do with our bowlers."

 

[MenInG]

1st ODI South Africa v England – start delayed


Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have agreed to delay the start time for today’s One-Day International match, which is due to take place in Paarl.


The England players and management underwent an additional round of PCR tests on Saturday evening, after two members of the hotel staff testing positive for COVID-19.


Whilst the ECB awaits ratification of those test results the decision has been taken to delay the start of today’s ODI match.

 

[MenInG]

England's first ODI against South Africa has been abandoned in Paarl.

Two members of staff from the hotel where the teams are staying tested positive for Covid-19.

 

[JattMaula]

Looks like this tour is over. If CSA can't maintain a bio-secure bubble this tour has no hope.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

This tour is done. Cant see it happening now.

 

[Babbar]

That’s the right strategy. New Zealand is too soft.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

CSA is in shambles.

South African Cricket is declining and their board isn't making things better.

 

[Junaids]

Looks like this tour is over. If CSA can't maintain a bio-secure bubble this tour has no hope.

CSA is in shambles.

South African Cricket is declining and their board isn't making things better.

It’s much harder than you think.

The ECB got away with it at Old Trafford and Southampton because at the time there was minimal local virus circulation.

A proper Biosecure Bubble requires cooks and cleaners and other hotel staff to be imprisoned in the hotel too. The ECB didn’t do that and got away with it, but circulating virus levels across South Africa (and India and Pakistan) are now far too high for that to work.

 

[Saj]

South Africa v England Agree to Cancel 1st ODI

Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have agreed to cancel today’s One-Day International match, which was due to take place in Paarl.

The decision was taken after two hotel staff members testing positive for COVID-19. As a precaution, the England players and management underwent an additional round of PCR tests on Saturday evening. Following the test results, two members of the England touring party have returned unconfirmed positive tests for COVID-19. 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 not 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.

Ashley Giles, Managing Director, England Men's Cricket, said:

"We regret that we are unable to play in today’s ODI, but the welfare of the players and support staff is our primary concern and whilst we await the results of further tests the medical advice from both teams was that this game should not take place.

"We remain in constant dialogue with Cricket South Africa and will continue to work closely with them to determine how best to move forward.”

CSA Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith said:

“CSA is doing everything in our power to ensure that our top priority, which is the health, safety and welfare of players, support staff and all involved in this series is safeguarded. With that in mind, we have made the joint decision to cancel today’s match.

“We are deeply regretful of the situation we find ourselves in after the amount of time and energy that has been put in place to host a successful tour.

“We are in continuous talks with the ECB as we navigate the situation under the guidance of our combined medical teams.”

 

[shah_1]

That’s the right strategy. New Zealand is too soft.

Lol it is in the middle of the series whereas there is a lot of days left before the first match against Pakistan. There are no community cases in NZ once everything is filtered out after strict 14 days isolation period. There is no danger

 

[cricketjoshila]

Poor management by CSA. There is little hope for a board that cant even maintain the integrity of a bio secure bubble.

 

[shah_1]

Btw sponsors, broadcast and cricket boards will be scared for future series . Once case in the middle of the series and everthing is cancelled. They lose a lot of money

 

[KoyoAli]

Well, the future of this tour looks very bleak at this point. Would have loved to see some ODI cricket between these sides but these are exceptional circumstances. Hopefully, all the people involved can get out of this unharmed.

 

[MenInG]

Well, the future of this tour looks very bleak at this point. Would have loved to see some ODI cricket between these sides but these are exceptional circumstances. Hopefully, all the people involved can get out of this unharmed.

God forbid if one one of the players tests positive - no one will forgive CSA

 

[Junaids]

God forbid if one one of the players tests positive - no one will forgive CSA

Reports coming in that two England players have now tested positive.....

 

[Junaids]

Correction: “two members of the touring party” - could be players or coaching staff.

 

[Saj]

Correction: “two members of the touring party” - could be players or coaching staff.

No details as yet whether they are players or coaching staff.

 

[silentkiller187]

Shame on csa they deserve this humiliation for not taking responsibility of all players and party.

( Sarcasm )

 

[Dark_Horse]

The incompetence of PCB Has reached SA they are responsible for COVID in this series

 

[cricketjoshila]

This is the result of people who have no stake and are not accountable being hoisted on top of an organisation.

Will the sports minister resign?

 

[Titan24]

Really unfortunate. CSA possibly could have made better arrangements? We are not in a position to judge but, something doesnt seem right.

 

[Junaids]

Really unfortunate. CSA possibly could have made better arrangements? We are not in a position to judge but, something doesnt seem right.

South Africa doesn’t have any cricket grounds with built-in hotels. The closest is Kingsmead in Durban - and I got chased back to the Hilton hotel by a mugger in 2018 there.

A bubble isn’t really a bubble of the domestic staff exit it every day to go home.

It’s a miracle this didn’t happen in England.

 

[Titan24]

South Africa doesn’t have any cricket grounds with built-in hotels. The closest is Kingsmead in Durban - and I got chased back to the Hilton hotel by a mugger in 2018 there.

A bubble isn’t really a bubble of the domestic staff exit it every day to go home.

It’s a miracle this didn’t happen in England.

Thanks. It makes sense now. Hopefully countries will better attend to the needs of tours during pandemic going forward. Hotels might have to be requested to hire a contractual staff (Board might have to pay) if their current staff cant remain in the bio secure bubble. As definitely with the staff going home and coming back will have a high chance of bursting the bio secure bubble especially when the community spread is high.

 

[shamaan]

Weres [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] disappeared to ?

 

[shamaan]

CSA should be blasted just like pakistan got blasted !

 

[PakPremi]

Shame on csa they deserve this humiliation for not taking responsibility of all players and party.

( Sarcasm )

Very unprofessional from Wasim Khan once again.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

This is the result of people who have no stake and are not accountable being hoisted on top of an organisation.

Will the sports minister resign?

Wow big words from you. I hope he resigns and then Modi also learns from him.

 

[MenInG]

It is "pretty much impossible" for England's tour of South Africa to continue after the coronavirus cases, says former captain Alastair Cook.

Two members of the England party have returned "unconfirmed positive tests".

One-day internationals on Friday and Sunday were called off after positive tests from a South Africa player and two members of hotel staff.

"I would be very surprised if this series continued," Cook told BBC Radio 5 Live.

The final two ODIs of the three-match series are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday, the former rearranged after Friday's game was called off.

England are due to fly home on Thursday.

They are waiting for their positive tests to be independently ratified before a decision on the remaining games is taken.

That is unlikely to come until Monday, but it is possible that the matches could be played on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"I'd imagine that the players will want to come home," said Cook, who led England in 59 of his 161 Tests and 69 of his 92 ODIs.

The game on Friday was postponed off after an unnamed South Africa player tested positive for coronavirus.

Although the South Africa squad subsequently returned negative test results, England were tested as a precaution on Saturday following the positive tests of two members of the hotel staff.

The two positive tests returned by the unnamed members of the England camp have led to all players and staff self-isolating in their hotel rooms until they receive further medical advice.

England are due to play Test series against Sri Lanka and India in the new year, with the squad for Sri Lanka set to leave the UK on 2 January.

"Will the players want to go to Sri Lanka?" said Cook. "Another outbreak would mean doing all the hard work, going out there, and still not playing anyway if one Covid breach brings the whole thing down.

"That will be another question. Is it worth waiting for the vaccine when things can hopefully get back to normal?"

Any potential coronavirus outbreak in the England camp would also call into question how the players and staff would spend Christmas.

"I know home Christmases are a very small thing, but it is a very special thing for an England cricketer to be at home for Christmas and be able to spend time with their family," said Cook, England's all-time leading run-scorer in international cricket.

"The last thing they'll want to do is be isolating in a South African hotel, not being able to get home."

The South Africa tour is England's first trip abroad since their series in Sri Lanka in March was abandoned because of the pandemic.

England managed to fulfil entire home summer schedule by playing matches in a bio-secure 'bubble' at grounds without spectators.

Their time in South Africa has also been spent in a bubble, with players from both sides only leaving the same Cape Town hotel to play and train.

Before the Twenty20 series that preceded the ODIs - which England won 3-0 - two South Africa players tested positive for coronavirus and another two were placed into isolation.

"It was amazing this summer that nothing happened and every game happened," said Cook.

"The ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) have to get a lot of credit for organising it in that way. At times you probably thought the measures were a bit over the top, but they were all worth it to get all the games on."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/55206467

 

[JattMaula]

It’s much harder than you think.

The ECB got away with it at Old Trafford and Southampton because at the time there was minimal local virus circulation.

A proper Biosecure Bubble requires cooks and cleaners and other hotel staff to be imprisoned in the hotel too. The ECB didn’t do that and got away with it, but circulating virus levels across South Africa (and India and Pakistan) are now far too high for that to work.

Hotel manager claims that all the staff was residing on site. And they don't yet have any info on how the breach and infections happened. This is a worrisome situation.

 

[sweep_shot]

I think they should just cancel the tour. Play it later perhaps.

 

[Saj]

Expect the tour to be cancelled.

Seems like this bubble is a free for all.

 

[Junaids]

Expect the tour to be cancelled.

Seems like this bubble is a free for all.

England got really lucky with their bogus bubble last summer.

If you recall, players and journalists were allowed to exit and re-enter the bubble by being tested prior to re-entry.

But that would have failed to pick up brand new infections like the ones Pakistan have had in NZ. And rapid testing kits have a 20-40% False NEGATIVE rate, which is how President Trump contracted the virus.

 

[zain7077]

seems like the remainder of the tour may be cancelled.

 

[JattMaula]

seems like the remainder of the tour may be cancelled.

Its been officially cancelled.