COVID-19 Omicron threat: Ahead of India tour, Cricket South Africa postpones domestic games due to THIS reason

India A's Sarfaraz Khan in action against South Africa A in Bloemfontein. (Photo: BCCI)

Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday (December 2) confirmed that all three, Round 4, Division Two CSA 4-Day Domestic Series matches scheduled to take place between December 2 to 5 had been postponed. The competition is not being held in a Bio-Secure Environment (BSE) and in the last couple of days, some positive COVID-19 test results have emerged following team pre-arrival testing sessions.

“Activating the precautionary and preventative 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,” the board said in an official statement.

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. In addition, the CSA B-section 3-Day and 1-Day matches featuring Northerns and Easterns set for the same weekend have also been postponed until 2022.

This developments comes as South Africa is set to host India in a multi-format series, comprising three Tests, three ODIs and four T20Is. The tour is set to begin on December 17.

India’s tour of South Africa might be pushed back by one week due to the threat of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. A BCCI official on Thursday confirmed to news agency ANI that both boards are in constant touch and the decision will be taken keeping the safety of players in mind.

“We are discussing to push back the series by a week due to the threat of Omicron COVID variant and we are awaiting the Indian government nod, both boards are in constant touch and everything is being discussed. The health and safety of our players is of utmost importance,” the senior official had told ANI.

(with ANI inputs)