Netherlands’ ongoing tour of South Africa could be called off after a new Covid-19 variant was identified in the country. The first encounter of the three-match ODI series between the two teams was underway at Centurion when the two boards stated that an official decision will be reached in 24 to 48 hours.
Earlier, the reports came out that the series has been cancelled. However, it turned out that the Dutch team can not fly out of the country before December 3 due to travel restrictions. Further discussions are underway to continue the series.
“Both boards can confirm that following updated information, it is highly unlikely that the visiting team will be able to fly out of South Africa over the weekend.
The KNCB is reviewing all of its options, while prioritising the physical and mental well-being of its players,”
“A decision on the continuation of the series will follow in the next 24 to 48 hours, while all flight options are being considered.”
an official release stated.
A new COVID variant identified as B.1.1.529 was found in South Africa, after which the country has been added to the UK’s red list. Several countries like Germany, Italy and Singapore have imposed travel restrictions on those coming from SA, with more countries likely to follow suit.
The fourth wave of COVID-19 pandemic is likely to peak in the country in the next few weeks, and international cricket for both men and women could be disrupted massively.
South Africa has a packed home summer lined up with the Indian men’s cricket team slated to tour for three Tests, three ODIs and four T20 internationals from mid-December. The Indian contingent is scheduled to fly out for South Africa on December 8. The West Indies women’s team is also slated to tour the country in January.
Currently, India A men’s team is in South Africa for three four-day matches, first of which is underway in Bloemfontein.
A report from Reuters stated that an advisory has been issued by the Indian government to all the states in the country to test and screen travellers from South Africa and other countries at risk. The Indian health ministry has reportedly said that the new COVID-19 variant has “serious public health implications“.
Meanwhile an anonymous BCCI official informed PTI that the board is taking a wait and see approach.
“Look, till we get a detailed picture of the ground situation from Cricket South Africa, we will not be able to tell our next step.
As per the current plan, the Indian team is supposed to leave either on December 8 or 9 just after the New Zealand series gets over in Mumbai.”
The BCCI official suggested that although the players will fly out on a charter flight from Mumbai to Johannesburg, they may have to go through a three or four days of hard quarantine.
An official travelling with India A team revealed to PTI that South Africa officials, after a meeting with the medical team, have assured them that there’s nothing to worry about as Bloemfontein is away from the Covid-19 hotspots.
“After the outbreak, a medical team from Cricket South Africa had a meeting with our representatives over here. We were told that there is nothing to worry since the spike in cases is far away from Bloemfontein where we would be playing our next match too.”
The South African cricket board was hit badly due to the pandemic last year, when England called off the ODI series after positive cases were found in the SA camp and Australia refused to travel for a three-match Test series.
