ODI series vs England to go ahead after Entire Proteas squad tests negative for Covid-19

Cricket South Africa confirmed that the entire South African contingent has tested negative for the coronavirus on Saturday. CSA released an official statement that with this development, the ODI series is back on track and will begin on Sunday.

Notably, the coronavirus scare in the South Africa cricket squad on Friday had forced the first ODI against England in Cape Town to be postponed to Sunday.

"Cricket South Africa 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," the release stated.

England expressed concern over the strength of the bio-secure environment after the positive result, while a South African team investigation has not yet shown how the unnamed player caught the



virus.

Team doctor Shuaib Manjra admitted they were at a loss to explain how the player contracted the virus in the bio-secure hotel that is shared by South Africa and England.

"We have spoken to the player, looking at security cameras and other information, and we have not been able to date to identify where that source was. But clearly, it is cause for concern,” Manjra said in a statement on Friday.

He denied any player who had left the team hotel without authorization.

"I can categorically state that no player is able to leave the hotel environment. The security will not allow the player to leave unless he is doing so in an assigned, official vehicle."

After Sunday’s opening match in Paarl, there will be further games at Newlands in Cape Town on Monday and Wednesday.