Cricket Banter

Todays South Africa v England ODI has been called off, after 2 hotel staff have tested positive for covid.

Have to say that it it doesn't look good for the remaining games as England fly home on Thursday I believe, and it is a shame as both cricket boards have worked hard to get this tour together.

I believe it's worth £500,000 per match in TV rights to a South African Cricket Board that's already strapped for cash.

2nd south Africa ODI called off, as they await independent ratification of unconfirmed positive Covid=19 tests for 2 unnamed members of the England tour party.

Just been announced that the tour of SouthAfrica has been cancelled.

With one positive test from A South African player & 2 hotel staff, along with 2 England players who have returned unconfirmed positive tests, this had a feeling of inevitability. The report I've just read says postponed, but, surely cancelled is more appropriate, as there's no real chance of rescheduling these ODI's.
A statement said the tour was called off to ensure the mental & physical health & welfare of players. Interestingly a second member of England's squad has pulled out of the Big Bash in Australia, with Tom Curran added to Tom Banton's withdrawal (Bio-secure,bubble-burnout). Bairstow had already decided to no go, but the rumour is that England want him back in the Test Squad for the upcoming tour to Sri Lanka.

it looks very much like the SCA where not able to make the hotel and ground fully covid secure like the ECB did last summer, having the hotel not at the ground seams to have been an issue, also the staff where going home so no wonder some got the covid,
the cricket board who run the ground they where using for training are saying England used the ground when they are not ready, this has worried the England players who cant understand why the cricket ground was not locked down and kept covid safe at all times,
the simple fact is i think SA is not as far along as we where at making areas covid safe this is understandable its not as rich or with as much infrastructure, i cant help but think these sort of problems could be even worse on the next tour in sri lanka, maybe limit tours to India , Australia and New Zealand at the moment would be better,

Australia beat India in the 3rd T20I yesterday, India had already secured the series in the previous match on Sunday. The loss brought to an end a 10 game winnings streak.

England's 2 Test series, which was postponed in March, has been confirmed, with both matches to be played in Galle starting on the 14th & 22nd of January.

England Tour of India will start with 4 test matches, the 3rd being under lights. Chennai will host the first 2 with Ahmedabad the second 2.
They will then play 5 T20I in Ahmedabad & 3 ODI's in Pune. The Chennai Test will start on February 5th.