The first ODI in a scheduled three-match ODI series between South Africa and England has been abandoned due to the dreaded COVID-19. This time, the reason for the match to be given the red signal were the positive results of COVID tests done on two members of the hotel staff where the English team stayed in Cape Town.
The shocking discovery forced the match to be first delayed and then, eventually, getting called off. The series is already running behind schedule as the first match was first scheduled to be played on the 4th of this month. But it had to be postponed due to one of the players in the South African camp testing positive.
Now, the English team is undergoing tests to see if any one of them has caught the virus. If they have, the entire tour may come to an early and abrupt end.
An initial statement from the two countries explained the situation thus:
"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," it said. "Whilst the ECB awaits ratification of those test results the decision has been taken to delay the start of today's ODI match."
Since this statement, the match has been abandoned. The second ODI is scheduled to take place tomorrow at Paarl, the same venue, but it too comes under doubt now.
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