Cape Town, Nov 19 (Bureau) Ahead of the limited-overs series against England, three South African cricketers have been put into self-isolation after one of them tested positive for the Covid-19, the country’s cricket board confirmed on Thursday. Cricket South Africa did not disclose the names of the players, neither did they confirm whether all three would miss any of the T20Is against England or not. “One player has returned a positive test result and two players were considered close contacts based on the risk assessment undertaken by the medical team,” Cricket South Africa (CSA) said in a statement on Wednesday. “All three players have been placed in immediate isolation in Cape Town as part of the COVID-19 protocols. While all players are asymptomatic, CSA’s medical team will monitor them to ensure their health and well-being,” it added. South Africa didn’t name any replacement but two new players will join the group for the inter-squad practice matches that will be played on Saturday.
Players from both the sides arrived in South Africa after the conclusion of the IPL 2020 in the UAE. CSA confirmed that around 50 COVID-19 PCR tests were performed on players and support staff prior to entering the bio-safe environment in Cape Town. The series beginning with three T20Is is due to start on November 27, followed by three ODIs. All matches will be played between Newlands and Paarl in the bio-bubble without any spectators.