Domestic cricket in South Africa does not take place under strict biosecure bubbles
CSA has postponed all three Division 2 four-day matches scheduled to start on Thursday after some players were tested positive for Covid-19. The one-day matches due to take place on December 16 have also been pushed back to 2022. This is the first disruption to the domestic cricket season in South Africa since the discovery of the Omicron variant of coronavirus last week and the second major casualty of the pandemic this summer.
On the contrary, domestic cricket in South Africa does not take place under the same strict measures, and with cases going up countrywide, several of those due to take part in this week’s matches have tested positive.
“Activating the precautionary and preventive measures stipulated in the organisation’s Covid-19 protocols to ensure the health, safety and well-being of all involved is a top priority for CSA,” a CSA statement read. “CSA is monitoring the situation closely and a decision regarding the remainder of the fixtures this year will be made in due course as it develops.”
As things stand, a full round of Division 1 four-day fixtures is due to be played between December 19 to 22 before the festive break. At this stage, those matches remain on the schedule.
The news comes on the heels of South Africa awaiting the Indian government’s permission to allow their men’s team to embark on a three-Test, three-ODI and four-T20I tour from mid-December. The India A team is currently in a bio-bubble in Bloemfontein, where they are playing the second of three unofficial Tests and there is no indication of them leaving earlier than planned.
However, it’s understood there are concerns about the senior side’s arrival, not least because South African scientists predict that cases will continue to go up in the next month. On Wednesday, South Africa reported 8561 new cases, up from 4373 the day before.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo’s South Africa correspondent