South Africa opening batter Sarel Erwee and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder’s COVID-19 test returned positive. After which, both of them have rule out of the ongoing second Test against Bangladesh at Gqeberha.
Khaya Zondo has called out to replace Erwee, making his Test debut for the Proteas. Glenton Stuurman has confirmed as the replacement of Mulder in the playing XI.
According to a statement from Cricket South Africa, both players felt unwell and returned positive Tests in the morning. CSA have now invoked the COVID-19 substitution protocol, agreed with the BCB prior to the start of the tour.
“This is an unfortunate situation, but not unexpected after the decision was made to have this tour under the Managed Event Environment (MEE) protocol. Rather than the strict Bio-safe Environment (BSE) Protocol as was previously the case,” a statement from CSA Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shuaib Manjra read.
Erwee scored 24 and 41 respectively in the two innings that he batted in Port Elizabeth. Mulder also made significant all-round contributions. Scoring 33 and 6 respectively in two innings and returning figures of 3/25 in the first innings.
At the end of Day 3, South Africa reduce Bangladesh to 27/3. With the visitors still needing 386 runs for a win.