The upcoming Test and ODI series between South Africa and India will be played in the absence of the crowd after Cricket South Africa decided not to sell any tickets due to the Covid-19 scare in the country. The two teams will be locking horns with each other in a series of 3 Tests and 3 ODIs from December 26. The Tests will be played at Centurion, Cape Town, and Johannesburg while Paarl and Cape Town will host the 50-over matches from January 19.
In a statement regarding the same, CSA wrote: “Cricket South Africa (CSA) has noted the interests of cricket fans and other stakeholders on the scheduling and the release of the details of ticket sales, in connection with forthcoming India vs Proteas tour that is scheduled to begin in less than a week.”
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They also added, “Regrettably, CSA wishes to inform the most ardent fans of cricket as well as all sports lovers that owing 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. This decision was taken in order to avoid any breaches that could compromise the tour from a Covid-risk perspective and to also maintain a hazard-free bubble environment.”
Elaborating the same, CSA wrote: “At this stage we would like to remind all cricket fans that the tour and the matches will still be broadcast on SuperSport and SABC platforms. In addition to this and as part of ongoing efforts to increase the reach of cricket, CSA is exploring other alternative public viewing activations which will ensure that a limited number of fans are able to enjoy the summer cricket atmosphere with other fans via activation sites, while still observing the strictest safety measures and exercising duty of care. CSA will announce the available alternative public viewing activations as soon as the relevant approvals have been secured.”
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Cricket South Africa has been forced to cancel all its domestic tournaments, including February’s 2022 Mzansi Super League, due to the Omicron variant outbreak in the country.
South Africa reported a record number of daily COVID-19 infections earlier this month in a fourth wave believed to be largely caused by the Omicron variant.
