South Africa vs England: First ODI abandoned after positive COVID-19 tests

The first One-Day International (ODI) between South Africa and England was abandoned on Sunday only two days after it was postponed when a home team player tested positive for coronavirus pandemic.

On Sunday, two members of the hotel staff tested positive and as a result, Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) agreed to call off the match just 30 minutes before the start in Paarl, as reported by BBC Sport.

"The England players and management underwent an additional round of PCR tests on Saturday evening, after two members of the hotel staff testing positive for COVID-19. Whilst the ECB awaits ratification of those test results the decision has been taken to delay the start of today's ODI match," CSA's official statement read.

On Saturday, the three-match ODI series was given a green signal after all the South Africa players who were a part of the ODI squad tested negative for COVID-19. However, on Sunday CSA had delayed the start of the first ODI but the game was eventually called off. Now there is a doubt regarding the other two matches that are scheduled to take place on Monday and Wednesday.

The BBC Sport report confirmed that the players have been in a bio secure bubble, with players only leaving their Cape Town hotel to play and train.

Before the Twenty20 International (T20I) series last month – in which England whitewashed the hosts 3-0 - two South Africa players had tested positive for coronavirus and two others were placed in isolation. The series is England's first overseas tour since their travel to Sri Lanka was cancelled in March following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.