Postponing CSA matches is a necessary precaution

CRICKET SA director of cricket Graeme Smith remains confident that the Proteas will be able to host Sri Lanka in the upcoming Test series in a bio-secure environment despite the next round of 4-Day Franchise Series games being postponed yesterday due to Covid-19.

All matches scheduled for December 20-23 have been postponed.

This comes after the round five clash between the Titans and Dolphins was abandoned this week when a Dolphins player tested positive during the match. It is understood that more Dolphins players have tested positive.

It is also believed that there was a positive test in the VKB Knights and Highveld Lions match in Bloemfontein, but unlike at Centurion, the player was isolated and the game continued.

The Proteas are meant to face Sri Lanka at Centurion in the first Test starting on Boxing Day.

“In the interest of Cricket South Africa’s duty of care to its franchise players, support staff and stadium personnel and in accordance with government health and safety regulations, CSA has opted to postpone the final round of domestic fixtures of 2020,” said Smith.

“CSA is committed to mitigating the impact of Covid-19 on the 2020/21 season, with the upcoming two-match Test series between South Africa and Sri Lanka being played in a bio-secure environment, which is a more controlled space than the domestic competition.”

At least 10 members of the Proteas Test squad set to do battle with Sri Lanka were involved in the two first-class matches where there were positive tests recorded.