Outbreak puts ODIs in doubt

ENGLAND’S ODI tour of South Africa could be scrapped after two members of their party tested positive for Covid.

Former captain Alastair Cook felt it was “pretty much impossible” for it to continue.

Two staff at the England hotel also returned positive tests, and the already rescheduled opener of a three-match series was cancelled just an hour before play was due to start in Paarl yesterday morning.

But because of the high viral load numbers recorded, England tour doctor Moiz Moghal suggested the positive results in their tour party could be an anomaly, which is why the two members will be PCR tested once more today.

Cook (above) said: “I’d be very surprised if this series continued. I think that’s pretty much impossible. They will be trying to get their flight home.”

On Thursday the entire England party returned negative results. When tested 48 hours later, there were two positive cases. Neither individual reported any symptoms.

They could be asymptomatic, which would require them to continue selfisolating, as would others who were in close contact.

That would mean an extra 10 days stuck in South Africa in the run up to Christmas, wh while the rest of the party is still slated to depart on Thursday for either the UK or Australia, where five players ar are in the Big Bash.

The openin opening ODI was to have been in Cape Town on Friday but was called off at the last las moment and switched to Paarl after a positive test in th the South Africa camp.

Two back-to-back games now appear a the likely scena scenario.