The first ODI between England and South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town was postponed suddenly from Friday to Sunday after a player tested positive for the coronavirus. In a statement released by Cricket South Africa, it read, “Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the England Cricket Board (ECB) would like to announce the postponement of the first Betway One-Day International (ODI) of the three-match series to Sunday, 06 December 2020. This decision results from a player from the Proteas team testing positive for COVID-19 after the teams’ last round of scheduled testing performed on Thursday ahead of the ODIs. In the interests of the safety and well-being of both teams, match officials and all involved in the match, the Acting CEO of CSA, Kugandrie Govender as well as the CEO of the ECB, Tom Harrison, have agreed to postpone the first fixture to Sunday."
Thus, the first ODI will be played on Sunday, followed by the second on Monday and the final game on Wednesday. Although Cricket South Africa did not officially mention which player tested positive and chose to keep the identity secret, many in the South African media speculated that the player in question is Heinrich Klassen.
England managed to whitewash South Africa 3-0 in the recently concluded three-match Twenty20 International series with Dawid Malan being the star. England are now the No.1 side in ODIs as well as in T20Is and Dawid Malan is the No.1 ranked batsman in the format after he reached a career high of 915 points following his exploits in the series.
The amended tour dates are as follows:
Sunday, 06 December 2020 – 1st Betway ODI, Eurolux Boland Park, Paarl (Day Match)
Monday, 07 December 2020 – 2nd Betway ODI, Six Gun Grill Newlands, Cape Town (Day-night Match)
Wednesday, 09 December 2020 – 3rd Betway ODI, Six Gun Grill Newlands, Cape Town (Day-night Match)
