Cricket Australia (CA) is monitoring South Africa’s arrangement for the safety of their players when they will tour there in February to play the Test series. This has come after the tour of England in South Africa was called off in between after the coronavirus entered in the bio-bubble of the two teams where they were living.
After playing the T20I series, England was set to play three-match ODI series against the hosts South Africa but the opening match was delayed after one player from the host’s camp tested positive for the virus. The series was rescheduled from Sunday but that match was also postponed after the two hotel staff where the teams were residing tested positive for the virus. Following which, England’s entire squad were tested and unfortunately, two unconfirmed positive results came out. This followed by the cancellation of the series.
For the safety of their players, Cricket Australia has not yet cancelled the series but has informed that they are monitoring the safety environment arranged by Proteas.
“The tour of South Africa is part of the World Test Championship and the Future Tour Program,” a CA spokesman said on Tuesday. “We will continue to plan for the tour and monitor the biosecurity situation.”
Australia and South Africa will play the three-match Test series
The breaches have cast doubt on South Africa’s ability to host touring teams, including Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia who are all set to play there in coming months.
Australia is scheduled to play three Tests in South Africa in February but has yet to fix dates with South African authorities.
Earlier, Director of Cricket of South Africa Graeme Smith stated that the Test series against Australia next year can mark the comeback of the crowd in stadiums. But the current situation in South Africa has created doubt about his plans.
Australia is currently hosting India for a full-fledged series. They have already completed the ODI series and currently, playing the T20I series which will preceed with the marquee Test series.