England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have announced the postponement of the 1st One Day International of the three-match series to Sunday 6 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.
Following the postponement, Ashley Giles, Managing Director, England Men's Cricket, has issued the following statement: "On behalf of the England touring party and the ECB, I would like to thank Cricket South Africa for their collaborative approach to postponing today's One Day International.
"Our number one priority is the health and safety of the England team and management group, and the correct decision was made following discussions between the two Boards and respective medical teams.
"The England party will remain at its base in Cape Town on Friday and Saturday, and we are hopeful that the three-match series will be played before we depart next Thursday starting with the match at Paarl on Sunday."
The amended tour dates are as follows:
Sunday, 6 December 2020 – 1st ODI, Boland Park, Paarl (Day Match)
Monday, 7 December 2020 – 2nd ODI, Newlands, Cape Town (Day-night Match)
Wednesday, 9 December 2020 – 3rd ODI, Newlands, Cape Town (Day-night Match)