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Cricket South Africa (CSA) said on Monday that the three-match Test series between India and South Africa, which begins on Sunday (December 26) in Centurion, will be played without spectators because the country’s worsening COVID-19 crisis.
In a fourth wave suspected to be predominantly driven by the Omicron strain, South Africa reported a record number of daily COVID-19 cases last week. “Unfortunately, CSA regrets to inform the most ardent cricket fans as well as all sports fans that, due to the increasing COVID cases around the world, and the fourth wave locally, the two cricketing bodies have taken a joint decision to protect the players and the tour by not making tickets available for the India vs Proteas offerings,” the CSA said in a statement.
“This decision was made to avoid any breaches that could jeopardize the trip from a Covid-risk standpoint, as well as to ensure a hazard-free bubble atmosphere,” the statement continued.
The CSA is considering a number of different public viewing options. Following the discovery of the Omicron variety last month, the series is taking place in the midst of a growing threat of COVID-19 cases. In recent weeks, the country has experienced an increase in the number of cases.
The tour was previously in jeopardy due to the current situation, but the boards of both countries agreed to go forward with it. As a precautionary step, CSA postponed the last round of the four-day franchise series, the country’s primary domestic competition, on Sunday.
The guests, who arrived on December 16, are staying at a resort (Irene Lodge) that has been reserved exclusively for them by CSA in order to maintain a strict bio-bubble during the series. The third Test will begin on January 11 in Cape Town.
The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship’s new cycle. “At this time, we’d like to remind all cricket fans that the tour and matches will continue to air on SuperSport and SABC platforms.” In addition, as part of its ongoing efforts to expand cricket’s reach, the CSA is looking into other public viewing activations that will allow a small number of fans to enjoy the summer cricket atmosphere with other fans via activation sites while still adhering to the strictest safety measures and exercising duty of care.”
Pholetsi Moseki, CSA’s acting chief executive officer, said that the decision was arrived at after a lot of deliberation. “We acknowledge the interest expressed by the fans and other stakeholders on being able to return to stadiums and want to assure all cricket fans that this decision was not taken lightly, but was instead taken in the best interest of the game and in the interest of the health and safety of all patrons.”