The Proteas have been checked into a city hotel near the airport in Kolkata. Kolkata’s cricketing board, Cricket Association of Bengal took this decision in order to present safety to the South African cricketers before they fly back home. All these measures were taken as precautionary stops for the South Africa cricket team amid the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic.
The South African cricket team was touring India for a 3 match ODI series. With the first ODI being abandoned without a bowl being bowled due to heavy rain pour. The Proteas were all set to play the second ODI in Lucknow and end the ODI series with the 3rd one in Kolkata. Amid the Corona Virus outbreak, the cricketing associations had decided to play the matches behind close doors to avoid mass gatherings and spread of the CoronaVirus. Eventually, both the cricketing bodies decided to call off the series.
The South African cricket team was also resented with an option to fly in at Delhi but the African team management decided to stay in Kolkata as the eastern part of India hasn’t recorded a single positive case of COrona Virus in India.
CAB medical committee chairman Pradip Dey spoke with media and said, “We have made full arrangements so that the South African players return home safe. We have a three-member medical team looking into their arrangements. We are taking adequate precautions.”
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Cricket Association of Bengal president Avishek Dalmiya, along with Snehasish Ganguly and Debabrata Das were all present at the airport to greet the Proteas.
“Everything is fine. Their rooms are all sanitised. Our liaison manager, medical team are also there in two rooms. They are all equipped with special masks, sanitiser. We have spoken to the players they are fine.” Avishek said.
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The tourers will head back home and respective cities in South Africa on Tuesday morning. The SA team will have a halt in Dubai before they get home. With the series being called off, BCCI and CSA have planned on rescheduling the tournament once the virus situation is under control.
