Netherlands tour of South Africa in danger due to new Covid variant

The Netherlands tour of South Africa may come to a premature and unfortunate end as an emerging Coronavirus variant of concern has ensured the South Africa government putting strict travel restrictions. The new strain, which is dubbed as B.1.1.529, put the UK government at high risk, and UK temporarily suspended flights from South Africa, as well as several other Southern African countries. 

It has also put several members of the Netherlands side in a spot of losing livelihood as those non-UK citizens, who are contracted to English counties and reside in the UK, needed to be back and enforce a ten-day self-funded mandatory hotel quarantine. For the UK and Irish residents, the timing has been set for Sunday 4 PM.

Many flights to European countries are already cancelled and many players in the visiting camp are afraid that they may get stranded in South Africa. 

Yesterday, South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi tested positive for COVID-19 and was withdrawn from the three-match home ODI series against the Netherlands beginning at Centurion on Friday, the country's cricket board said on Wednesday. Pacer Junior Dala has been called up as Ngidi's replacement, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said in a statement.

"Lungi Ngidi has also been forced to withdraw from the tour after testing positive for COVID-19. He is well and in good spirits and abiding by CSA's COVID-19 protocols, in line with government regulations," the CSA said.

"The Proteas medical team will keep in contact with him to ensure his physical and mental well-being. Junior Dala has been called up to replace him."

While the uncertainty is still there, the first match between two teams started on time.