Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque with match referee Andy Pycroft and South Africa captain Dean Elgar.
In the first instance of a COVID-19 replacement in international cricket, South Africa’s Sarel Irvi and Wynn Mulder were replaced by Khaya Zondo and Glenton Sturman in the playing XI of the second Test against Bangladesh after testing positive for the virus on Monday.
Irvi and Mulder were tested positive on Monday morning, the fourth day of the test.
A tweet from Cricket South Africa said, “Khaya Zondo will make his Test debut on Day 4 of the 2nd Betway Test against Bangladesh after Sarel Irvi and Viaan Mulder test COVID-19 positive.” “The pair were replaced with Zondo and Glenton Sturman.”
South Africa won the second Test by 332 runs on the fourth day to take the two-match series 2-0.
The CSA chief said, “It is an unfortunate situation, but it is not unexpected as it was decided to conduct the tour under the Managed Event Environment (MEE) protocol and not the strict Bio-Safe Environment (BSE) protocol.” ” Medical Officer Dr Shuaib Manjra said.
“This is in line with the country’s policy in repealing the Disaster Management Act in the context of the pandemic, as well as the great mental stress that a bubbly environment induces.”
The series is being played in a managed environment, not in a bio-bubble. Players are not confined to their hotel rooms and are allowed to go outside – with advice to open restaurants and outside – and mingle with other people.
This is the first instance of a COVID replacement protocol being used in international cricket. Incidents of COVID replacement have previously occurred in the Plunkett Shield and County Championship, but not in international cricket.
This is also the second instance of two substitutes for a team in the same match in international cricket – Bangladesh had two concussion substituents against India in 2019.
Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo has been unable to attend Tests after contracting COVID-19 last week, according to ESPNcricinfo, while South Africa’s bowling coach Charl Langevelt and security official Junaid Wadi also tested positive on Friday. The matches were not at the venue.
All COVID-related restrictions have been lifted in South Africa except for the wearing of masks in indoor spaces and limits on the number of people in gatherings.