New Delhi, Nov 26th : .Cricket South Africa (CSA), on Friday, stated that they are monitoring the situation in India and will keep the Board of Control for Cricket in India informed about any developments.
This comes amid concerns over the possible spread of a new version of Covid-19 in India. The new Covid-19 variant has caused panic around the world and made its presence felt in South Africa last week.
In South Africa, the fourth wave of the pandemic will also peak in the coming weeks.This will coincide with the busy summer cricket schedule.
The Indian men’s cricket team will play three Tests, three OIs and four T20Is in four venues, Johannesburg, Centurion and Paarl.
The number of cases is on the rise in the north of the country.
Few venues for the Test series could be affected by the spread of this variant.
“We are in touch with the BCCI, and there is no prejudice to the Indian trip to South Africa at the moment.
We will continue to monitor the spread of the virus and keep BCCI informed.Lawson Naidoo, head of CSA, stated that the CSA is committed to ensuring that Proteas and visiting teams are provided with safe cricket.
Notably, the Indian men’s ‘A’ team is currently in South Africa.They are playing in Bloemfontein for the first four-day match.It ended in a draw today.The team will play two more four day games, which begin on November 29th and December 6.
The visiting team, which is currently based in Bloemfontein has had a series meeting with the CSA officials as well as the local medical team.They have decided to complete the three match series.
“The distance between these two places is more than 1000 miles.We have been assured that there is no immediate danger to our health.
We have had discussions both with the CSA officials as well as the medical team.Anil Patel, team manager, stated that the team hotel and ground area were cleaned and that we are now in a bio-bubble.
“At this stage we have decided to remain on,” he said.
The BCCI officials have also been in touch with the India A team.
Deepak Chahar (new member) and Ishan Kishan (new member) joined the squad on Thursday.The team is due to depart for India on December 10, 2010.
The Indian government had earlier warned all states and Union Territories that international passengers traveling from or through Botswana to South Africa and Hong Kong should be cautious due to a new Covid variant being detected in South Africa.
Rajesh Bhushan, Health Secretary, wrote to the states: “It has been reported by NCDC, that multiple cases of a Covid-19 variation — 8.1.1529 – have been reported in Botswana (3), South Africa (6), and Hong Kong (1).This variant is believed to contain a significant number of mutations and could have serious implications for the country’s public health, especially considering the recent relaxation of visa restrictions and the opening of international travel.
“It is vital that all international travelers travelling from or transiting through these countries, as well as all other ‘at-risk’ countries, are subject to rigorous screening.
These international travellers should also be closely monitored and tested for their contacts.
The pandemic caused severe disruption to international cricket in South Africa last year.
After positive cases in South Africa, England cancelled a tour and Australia didn’t travel to play a three match Test series.This cost CSA millions.
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