Parthiv Patel announces retirement from all forms of cricket | Indian keeper-batsman Parthiv Patel retires from cricket
Parthiv Patel declared his retirement from all forms of cricket on Twitter. The former wicket-keeper batsman made his debut in 2002 at the age of 17 in Test series against England and went on to play 25 matches in the longest format, and achieved an average of 31.13. He also played 38 50-over matches and two T20Is.
Patel took it to social media to announce his retirement.
“Today I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket, and as I bring down the curtains on this 18-year-old cricketing journey, I feel heavier with gratitude towards many. The BCCI showed a generous amount of confidence and faith in a 17-year-old boy to play for India. I have enormous gratitude towards them for being a guiding force and hand holding me, in the formative years of my young career,” Patel said in a heartfelt letter.
Patel rose to fame after his convincing domestic career, where he scored over 11,000 runs in 194 first-class games with 27 centuries and 67 50s. “I am full of gratitude to The Gujarat Cricket Association, my home, for solidly rallying around me throughout my journey, and the leadership role conferred upon me couldn’t have been more joyous and fulfilling than our team winning all formats of the game,” he added.
Patel also played in the IPL for Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, SunRisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He played 204 T20 matches for his state and various IPL franchises and scored 4,300 runs at a strike rate of 123.84, with the help of 23 half-centuries.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
Rashid Khan ‘Most Valuable Player’ in BBL history | Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has been named MVP in BBL cricket by ESPNCricinfo
Rashid Khan has been producing power-packed performances in the last three seasons of the Big Bash League. Recently, ESPNcricinfo’s Smart Stats released that Khan has taken 56 wickets in 40 games at a strike rate of 16.6. His economy of 6.37 speaks volumes about his contribution to the league and also makes him BBL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), after playing just 40 matches.
The Afghanistan leg-spinner has been a devastating bowler for the Adelaide Strikers. He is the only player who has been ranked as MVP multiple times with back-to-back titles in seasons seven and eight.
The squad is IN for our opening clash against the @SixersBBL.?
D’arcy Short is next in line to impact the game with his performance. His batting in the seasons has been top-notch and unconventional bowling has helped Hurricanes score 53 points per match. According to Smart Stats, Short has been the best batsman with 1764 runs in his kitty in just 43 games. While his highest score is 122*, he has also taken 21 wickets in overall matches.
BBL 10 will kick off on December 10 between Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers in Hobart. The Sixers are the defending champions, after beating Melbourne Stars in the BBL 09 Final earlier this year.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
David Warner out of 1st Test: Australia face decisions | Aussie opener David Warner has been ruled out of the 1st Test against India with injury
Due to a groin strain, David Warner has been officially ruled out of the first Test match between India and Australia. Australia’s selection team has chosen Joe Burns to practice in the day-night warm-up match at Sydney Cricket Ground and based on that they will take their final decision.
“Joe Burns, Cameron Green, Sean Abbott, and Mitchell Swepson will derive great benefit from playing high quality against the pink ball in the final tour match,” national selector Trevor Hohns said. “All have enjoyed an excellent preparation for the Vodafone Test series and the NSP believes a final hit-out against India’s bowlers under lights will round it out nicely.”
With Will Pucovsi’s latest concussion at Drummoyne Oval warm-up match, there has been a lot of names running around for the final squad selection. According to ESPNCricInfo reports, coach Justin Langer and selector Trevor Hohns and George Bailey might consider Usman Khawaja or Shaun Marsh for the final squad.
“I feel I have made great progress in a short amount of time and it’s best for me to stay here in Sydney to continue working on getting back to full fitness,” Warner said, according to ESPNCricInfo reports. “The injury feels a lot better, but I need to be able to satisfy in my own mind and to my team-mates that it is 100 percent ready for Test match conditions.
“That includes running between the wickets and being agile in the field. Right now I feel I am short of being able to play at peak fitness and another 10 days will make a difference.”
Langer assured that Warner’s contribution to the team is unmatched. “If there is one guy you know will go well above and beyond that’s Dave,” Langer said. “He has done an incredible job to get to where he is today and we hope to have a fully fit David Warner at his absolute best in Melbourne.”
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
BBL 10 Match 1: HUR vs SIX Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | HBH vs SS Dream11 Prediction Today | Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers Key Players | Hobart Pitch Report
In what has been a year where we haven’t had much cricket courtesy of the Covid-19 pandemic, and majority of the tours have been played at limited venues to maintain the biosecure bubble, the Big Bash League returns for its 10th season at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
The defending champions, Sydney Sixers, take on the Hobart Hurricanes in what promises to be an exciting inaugural encounter for all the fans. 2020 has been an absurd year from a global point of view and like the majority of the cricket played this year, the spotlight has been on rules and regulations rather than the game itself. BBL 10 has been no exception to this and building up to this glamorous tourney, the new gimmick of rules has attracted more attention. Cricket watchers from all over the world have their sights on the ‘Bash Boost, X-Factor and power surge’.
This is also the first T20 league which will be played in as many as nine venues and spectators will be allowed to witness action from the stands.
Sixers, who won the BBL 09 Title earlier this year, will start off without their regular skipper Moses Henriques who is a part of the Australia ‘A’ squad which will play India in the tour game. It will be interesting to see who dons the captaincy role in the absence of the all-rounder. They will also miss the services of pacers Jackson Bird and Sean Abbott, who are a part of the squad of the Australia ‘A’ and Australian national teams respectively. The side will miss the services of English all-rounder Tom Curran who was impressive in his seven outings last season as he picked 14 wickets. He also played the role of a finisher aptly scoring at a strike of 194 in the death overs, while averaging over 50.
The Sydney-based side will miss the majority of their big names in the initial round of matches, owing to quarantine regulations and international duties and hence it is important for them to get to a decent start so that the full strength side doesn’t have much work to do at the back-end of the tournament.
On the other hand are the Hobart Hurricanes who were knocked out of the tournament in the Eliminator in BBL 09. All the talk pre-season has been about coach Johan Botha who has come out of retirement to ply his trade for the Hurricanes in the upcoming season. The decision was influenced by the fact that Hurricanes will be without their lead spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who is in quarantine as he had tested positive for Covid-19. The leg-spinner picked 15 wickets in 13 matches for the Melbourne Stars last season.
Just like their opponents, the two-time runners-up will be also be missing their key players Dawid Malan and Keemo Paul, who will be available post-Christmas. Matthew Wade will be unavailable as he is a part of the national Test squad and hence Faulkner, Short, Handscomb or Botha himself might be taking up leadership role for the home side.
When the two teams met last season, Hurricanes were victories over the eventual champions as they edged out the Sixers by 25 runs in what turned to be a low-scoring encounter as Qais Ahmed picked 4 wickets, while Faulkner and Milenko picked a couple of wickets apiece. D’Arcy Short was the only batsman among the runs scoring 40-ball half-century.
BBL 10 Match 1: HBH vs SS Preview Dream11 – What impact will Dan Christian have for the Sixers?
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Sydney Sixers:
Josh Phillipe was the third-leading run-getter in BBL last season with 487 runs (avg. 37.46, SR 129.86) and scored a match-winning half-century in the Final.
James Vince has struck 93 runs against Hobart Hurricanes, at an average of 46.50. This includes a score of 74.
Lloyd Pope picked 10 wickets in 8 games for the Sixers last season at an economy rate of 7.14.
Dan Christian will be facing his former side as the Sixers will hope that their star signing comes good in his first game of the 8-nation extravaganza. He has scored 241 runs at a strike rate of 161.74 (avg. 40.17) vs the Hurricanes in his BBL career.
Stephen O’Keefe picked seven wickets at a parsimonius rate of 6.92 in BBL 09, as he was instrumental part of the bowling attack which led the Sixers to their 2nd title.
Ben Dwarshuis was the second-highest wicket-taker for the Sydney-based side as he picked 16 wickets in as many games in BBL 09.
Hobart Hurricanes:
D’Arcy Short- The southpaw has a strike rate of 143 in what has been an illustrious BBL career so far and has scored 1209 runs in the past two BBL seasons. Also, Short has scored 250 runs at an average of 50 against the Sixers.
Johan Botha- The former Protea will be a local player for this edition. In his last BBL season in 2018-19, the off-spinner plied his trade for the Hurricanes. He has picked 39 wickets in 65 BBL games while bowling at an economy rate of 7.1 RPO.
Nathan Ellis picked 12 wickets in 15 BBL games last season as he bowled at an economy rate of just under 8 runs per over. He will be Hobart’s go-to man at the death.
Scott Boland bowled at an economy rate of 7.75 in the powerplay last season. He had an excellent tournament overall, taking 15 wickets in 10 matches.
Riley Meredith took 10 wickets in six matches in BBL 09.
Mac Wright scored a couple of half-centuries in the latter half of BBL 09 which helped Hurricanes reach the play-offs. The same will be expected from Wright this season as well.
Stats and Facts
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 6 wins, Sixers 5 wins.
Hobart Hurricanes have won 4 out of their 5 last matches against the Sydney Sixers.
Sixers last won against the Hurricanes at the Bellerive Oval way back in the 2014-15 BBL.
Johan Botha has the best economy rate in BBL history for the Hobart Hurricanes.
Possible Playing 11
The Hurricanes have confirmed their 14-man squad.
Hobart Hurricanes: Expectedly, there will be a lot of excitement over the participation of Johan Botha in this game. Also, there will be some curiosity which player captains the team. Ben McDermott will be with the Australia A squad.
Possible Playing XI: 1. Will Jacks, 2. D’Arcy Short, 3. Caleb Jewell, 4. Peter Handscomb, 5. Colin Ingram, 6. Mac Wright, 7. James Faulkner, 8. Nathan Ellis, 9. Johan Botha, 10. Scott Boland, 11. Riley Meredith
Likely to be 12th, 13th and 14th men (and could be X-Factor players): Tim David, Charlie Wakim, Nick Winter
Sydney Sixers: Similar to the home side, Sixers also have the dilemma of choosing who be their captain in the first match of the tournament. Henriques, Bird, Malan and Abbott are players who will be missing out and it will be worth to keep an eye on who replaces them.
Possible Playing XI: 1. Josh Philippe, 2. James Vince, 3. Daniel Hughes, 4. Jordan Silk, 5. Justin Avendano, 6. Dan Christian, 7. Carlos Brathwaite, 8. Steve O’Keefe, 9. Ben Dwarshuis, 10. Gurinder Sandhu, 11. Lloyd Pope
Bellerive Oval Hobart Pitch and Weather Report
The ground has been a high-scoring venue in the recent past and the same will be expected when the two teams take the field on Thursday. There will be a bit of wind in the air but there no chances of rain.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
BBL 10 Match 1: HUR vs SIX Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
BBL 10 Match 1: HUR vs SIX Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
Both the teams will be missing several big names but given that Hurricanes will field several players who were impressive last season, the home side will start as favourites although Sixers will give them a run for their money.
AUS vs IND: Twitter reactions to the shambolic fielding in the 3rd T20I | Twitter reacts to the horrible fielding during AUS vs IND 3rd T20I
Australia vs India will always deliver talking points, and it was no different in what was a competitive T20I series. Australia avoided being on the wrong end of a 3-0 clean sweep, which would have been harsh given the Australians were right in with a chance of winning both the first two T20Is.
However, the main talking points of the third T20I was the awful fielding, which would have been frowned upon even in a local park game. The fielding has been iffy throughout the white-ball matches in India’s tour of Australia so far, but the third T20I took the cake. Numerous dropped catches, misfields and overthrows were on the menu at the SCG, sending Twitter into a frenzy.
Easy job is blame it all on the fielding coach for the performance. When everyone out there in the park knows these are basic things you have been doing repeatedly from literally school cricket. Imagine coming to international level and pointing out a coach for this.
After all that, India claimed the T20I series 2-1, after Australia won the ODIs by the same margin.
Now, attention will turn to the Test matches, with the first Test kicking off in Adelaide on December 17. This will be a day/night Test, and both teams will want to ensure their fielding is on point for the big four-match series.
England blame “unacceptable” facilities amid COVID outbreak | COVID outbreak forces cancellation of South Africa-England ODI series
The South Africa vs England ODI series has been postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak. According to the investigations done by the England Cricket Board, there are chances that the net facility at Newlands could be the main source of the virus outbreak. The England team was using the nets facility which was adjoining a construction site at the Kelvin Grove End of the ground.
“England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have agreed to postpone the remaining matches in the current men’s ODI Series. The decision was taken jointly by the two Boards to ensure the mental and physical health and welfare of players from both teams. The ECB and CSA will now work together to determine when the three-match series, which forms part of the ICC Cricket Men’s Super League, can take place in the future”, said ECB in their official statement.
According to ESPNCricinfo, an email was exchanged between CSA, ECB and Charemont Police who managed the bio-secure bubble. “Please be advised that the England cricket team has not adhered to the arrangements as agreed by all in the ESSPC [Event Security and Safety Planning Committee] meetings,” the email read.
“The practice nets next to the construction site is not allowed to be used on practice days. Three cages of nets were set up on the square on the field. This serves to inform you that the England Cricket Team has accessed and used the nets today (3 December 2020) at their own risk. WPCA and the ESSPC will not be held liable or responsible for the safety and health of the England Cricket Team.”
In response to the allegation, an ECB spokesperson told ESPNCricinfo that “the session had arisen due to the “unacceptable” standard of the three practice pitches provided on the square at Newlands, and that CSA had accepted England’s request to put up a security cordon to facilitate the use of the nets as per similar arrangements during the T20I series on November 28.
Tom Harrison, ECB CEO, said in his statement, “We have always maintained that the welfare of our players and management is paramount. We were concerned about the potential impact that recent developments might have on the wellbeing of the touring party, and so after consultation with Cricket South Africa, we have jointly made the decision to postpone the remaining matches in this Series, in the best interest of the players’ welfare.”
When the England team arrived in SA, there were not satisfied by the net facility provided by CSA on the main pitch and the standards were not appropriate. “We requested with CSA that we would like to use the practice nets and that we would create a security cordon to ensure the players and coaches could enter the facility safely, as done previously on 28 November. This was confirmed by England’s Security Team, the Team Operations Manager, and the Team Doctor. We were satisfied with this outcome and we were able to practice in the net facility safely”, said ECB.
The series was reduced to two matches after the first was called off due to two separate batches of positive COVID-19 tests. However, the series has since been postponed after further cases.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
AUS vs IND 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AUS vs IND 3rd T20I Dream11 Prediction Today | Australia vs India 3rd T20I Key Players | SCG Pitch Report
2015/16 vibes. After India lost the ODI series convincingly in their tour of Australia five years ago, they went on to sweep the three-match T20I series. This included a successful chase of 190+ at SCG, which was achieved again this time around, courtesy of Hardik Pandya’s MS Dhoni-like finishing.
Now, the Indians have the chance to repeat the 3-0 whitewash, and given their record in T20Is of late and Australia’s depleted state, one would be brave to pick against it. Virat Kohli’s team has now won each of their last 10 completed T20Is, and with a home World T20 less than a year away, the motivation will be there to continue the winning run.
The form of Hardik Pandya and emergence of T Natarajan has underpinned India’s three-match winning streak (3rd ODI, first two T20Is) on this tour. One feels that if the platform is set for these two to perform, India will be difficult to beat once again. So, eyes will be on the Indian top order, as well as the bowling attack, to work as a unit to keep Australia at bay.
For the home side, this series has been a story of frustration. Australia were well on top in many stages of the opening T20I in Canebrra, only to be undone by two players performing brilliantly in a substitution, as well as their own lack of composure. Death bowling was an issue at Canberra, and then again at Sydney, as a delicious buffet of slot deliveries were gobbled up by Pandya and co.
But, even though the series is gone, the opportunity remains for certain players to push their claim for regular T20 spots in the coming months, as preparations for the T20 World Cup will continue to ramp up.
AUS vs IND 3rd T20I Preview Dream11: Australia have missed Finch and Warner
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Hardik Pandya, who was player of the match in the second T20I, has had a superb tour to date. He has struck 90 (76), 28 (31), 92* (76), 16 (15) and 42* (22) across the ODIs and T20Is.
Virat Kohli enjoys playing T20 cricket at the SCG. In three T20Is on this ground, Kohli has struck two half centuries and a score of 40 (24), which was two days ago.
Matthew Wade, who has been excellent in BBL cricket over the past two seasons (943 runs, average of 44.90 and SR 155.10), transferred that form in the T20I arena. His 58 (32) set the tone for Australia last game, before a calamitous run out. Can he produce again today?
There is a chance Steve Smith will be rested for this match ahead of the Test series starting in nine days. If he plays, he will be key once again, as he is enjoying a fine run of form at the SCG in recent matches.
Aaron Finch is a chance of returning from injury for this match. If he does, Australia will welcome back a player with the second-most runs in AUS-IND T20Is (440, avg. 31.42, SR 137.07).
KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan, who were the top two run-scorers in IPL 2020, both have a half-century to their name in this series so far.
It has been a quiet series so far for Glenn Maxwell (scores of 2 & 22). As an experienced member in an inexperienced team, a lot will rest on Maxwell to perform. Overall, Maxwell has the third-most runs in AUS-IND T20Is (377 runs, avg. 31.41, SR 146.12).
Marcus Stoinis to open if Finch is out? Australia would be well-served sending Stoinis out in his preferred position in T20s. He struck 705 runs in 17 innings at opener in last year’s Big Bash, at an average of 54.23 and SR 136.62.
How impressive has T Natarajan been? He has taken five wickets in two matches so far this series (3/30 and 2/20) at an economy rate of just over six. His variety has been a key feature in his performances, as opposed to just having the yorker.
Adam Zampa will be key for Australia. The leg-spinner has taken 15 wickets in his last 13 T20Is, and will be the man to turn to for wickets in the middle overs.
Andrew Tye was expensive two nights ago (1/47). However, Australia will be hoping for wickets from him, as he has taken six scalps in four T20Is at the SCG – the most of any bowler.
Shardul Thakur has taken four wickets in his two matches so far on tour (3/51 in Canberra ODI, 1/39 in Sydney T20I).
Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 22, Australia 8, India 13, N/R 1.
India have won their last 10 completed T20Is. Also, India have won seven of their past eight completed T20Is against Australia in Australia.
Moises Henriques performed well in the opening T20I (3/22 and 30). Australia should utilise him more in this match, given that the SCG pitch often suits cutters into the surface.
Yuzvendra Chahal has struggled at the SCG this tour. In the ODIs, he took a combined 1/160 in 19 overs, followed by 1/51 in the second T20I. Can he bounce back today on this ground?
India have won all three T20Is they have played at the SCG (2016, 2018 and 2020).
Possible Playing 11
Justin Langer said that Aaron Finch is a chance of returning for the third T20I. In his last 11 T20 Internationals, D’Arcy Short has struck just 190 runs at an average of 17.27 and strike rate of 95.95. Australia could look at elevating Marcus Stoinis to opener if Aaron Finch isn’t fit.
Also, Australia could look at resting Steve Smith as he has played all five white-ball matches so far. Alex Carey is a chance of coming in.
Australia: 1. Aaron Finch/D’Arcy Short, 2. Matthew Wade, 3. Marcus Stoinis, 4. Steve Smith/Alex Carey, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Moises Henriques, 7. Sean Abbott, 8. Daniel Sams, 9. Mitchell Swepson, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. AJ Tye
India could go in with an unchanged XI to ensure the likes of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah get an extended break ahead of the Tests.
Another good batting surface is expected at the SCG, with good cutters and yorkers the need of the hour for bowlers throughout the innings. In terms of the wather, there is a chance of a southerly change which could bring a strong breeze. This may affect tactics throughout the match.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
AUS vs IND 3rd T20I Dream11 Prediction
Option 2 (if Finch plays & Smith is rested):
AUS vs IND 3rd T20I Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
India hold the aces and have a wider range of players who can influence the game. India to win.
Hardik Pandya played today the way MS Dhoni used to in the past: Justin Langer | Justin Langer full of praise for Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya has been outstanding in the ongoing Australia-India series. After his brilliant 90 in the first ODI, he combined with Ravindra Jadeja for a match-winning partnership. In the second T20I, he gave glimpses of MS Dhoni’s style of winning the chasing games in the past. MS Dhoni had announced his retirement in 2020 but his charismatic performances from the past linger in the thoughts of cricket fans.
In the last chase by the Indian team, things looked tricky when Pandya came in to bat but his 42 out off 22 balls helped to win the series by six wickets. Talking about his performance in a virtual press conference, coach Justin Langer said that Pandya played dangerously just MS Dhoni used to play in the past.
Hardik Pandya smashes two big sixes off Daniel Sams to help India win the second T20I by 6️⃣ wickets ?
“It was an incredible spectacle of a game. We know how dangerous Pandya is. In the past we had MS Dhoni and the way he played today,” Langer said at the virtual post-match press conference. “He has played really well all summer so, obviously, it was a great innings in the end there”, he said.
Langer also pointed out that the Indian team is playing with a lot of T20 players in their ranks which gave the team an edge. He also went ahead and praised captain Kohli’s 40 runs in just 24 balls. “Some of Virat (Kohli’s) shots, I have said for years he (Kohli) is the best player I have probably ever seen. Some of the shots he played tonight were extraordinary and (they got) good opening partnership and got over the line,” the former Australia opening batsman said.
In the post-match presentation, Hardik also confessed how he is trying to win the matches and act as a perfect finisher. “During the lockdown, I wanted to focus on finishing games where it matters the most. It doesn’t matter whether I score or don’t score more runs,” Pandya said at the post-match press conference.
““I have been in these situations many times and I learned from my mistakes in the past. My game is always around the confidence which I carry, it has that fine line where I back myself and not become overconfident. I always remember all those times when we chased big totals and it helps”, he added.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
‘I am not Dhoni’, Australia captain Matthew Wade on stump mic | Matthew Wade jokes about not being as quick as MS Dhoni behind the stumps
MS Dhoni might have left international cricket, but his absence still impacts the cricketing world. When India was playing against Australia in the second T20I, Australian captain Matthew Wade tried to recreate the charms from behind the stumps with a quick stumping, but couldn’t manage to pull it off. Recalling the former captain stumping skills in the ninth over of India’s innings Wade said ‘I am not Dhoni, not quick enough like Dhoni’.
Wade was heard from the stump mic after a narrow stumping miss and Shikhar Dhawan who was on the striker’s end was seen acknowledging the fact with a nod. During India’s chase of 195 runs when Mitchell Swepson was bowling, he delivered a wide ball which was short and outside the off-stump. Dhawan tried to cut it and missed and Wade smartly waited for him to lift his foot so that he could dismiss Dhawan.
When cricketers become legends..
After the stumping act…Wade says “Not #Dhoni…not quick enough like #Dhoni”
Dhawan smiled when Wade made the Dhoni remark as the batsman quickly rooted his foot back. “Not Dhoni, not quick enough like Dhoni!” Wade was caught saying on the stump-mic to which Dhawan responded saying, “Yeah”.
India won the T20I series with six wicket-victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
ENG tour of SA on a knife-edge after 2nd ODI postponed | ENG tour of SA looks in big doubt due to rise in COVID-19 cases
The second one-day international between England and South Africa has been postponed due to the Covid-19 scare. Cricket South Africa and England Cricket Board have issued a joint statement stating that the second 50-over match will not be played due to positive cases in the South African squad. The names of the players have not been disclosed but the whole group has been isolated for further safety.
“The decision has been taken by Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) whilst they await the outcome of the independent ratification of the two unconfirmed positive COVID-19 tests from the England camp and the continued health and wellbeing of both playing groups”, said ECB in their joint statement.
The 2nd Betway One-Day International between South Africa and England, which is due to take place at Newlands, Cape Town, will now not take place on Monday 7 December.#SAvENG#BetwayODIpic.twitter.com/951enAXkHT
Both the teams are aiming to have full schedules as planned before, even after the first ODI match was shifted to Sunday after a case was found on Friday just two hours before the game was about to start. CSA says no breach of bio-bubble has been noted and England’s players and the coaching staff have also been isolated in their rooms.
The decision has been taken by Cricket South Africa (CSA) and @ECB_cricket whilst they await the outcome of the independent ratification of the two unconfirmed positive COVID-19 tests from the England camp and the continued health and wellbeing of both playing groups.#SAvENG
“Once the findings of this review have been received, CSA and ECB will then discuss how best to proceed concerning the remaining two matches of this ODI Series”, said ECB.
Even if the tests come out negative, concerns about further spread can be taken into consideration especially when all the players were under a bio-secure bubble. If any of the England players test positive they will have to stay in SA for the next 10 days which means they will miss their charter plane home on Thursday.
England has won the T20I series against South Africa. Most of England’s squad are expected to join the Big Bash League as well and any kind of isolation can delay their arrival in Australia. Moreover, Australia holds a 14 days quarantine rule before joining any cricket match which would rule them out of the tournament.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
