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South Africa's team doctor says England's bio-secure bubble concerns are justified after first ODI is postponed

All players and hotel staff will be re-tested for coronavirus on Saturday to determine if three-match series against England can get underway on Sunday, with the remaining ODIs in the series scheduled for Monday and Wednesday

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 04: A Covid sign hangs on the gates of Newlands the Ist One Day International between South Africa and England at Newlands Cricket Ground on December 04, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Image: A COVID-19 sign on the gates of Newlands, where the 1st ODI was meant to take place on Friday

South Africa's team doctor says England are right to be concerned about the safety of the bio-secure bubble they are in with the Proteas after a member of the home team tested positive for coronavirus.

A three-game one-day international series between the sides was meant to begin at Newlands on Friday but the opener had to be postponed at the last minute after the positive result.

Given the security surrounding the bubble, it remains unknown how the positive result has been returned, but Dr Shuaib Manjra says England's worries are valid.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - DECEMBER 04: South African backroom staff pack up after the postponement of the Ist One Day International between South Africa and England at Newlands Cricket Ground on December 04, 2020 in Cape Town, South Africa
Image: South African backroom staff pack up after the postponement of the 1st ODI

Dr Manjra said: "Clearly there's a cause for concern and England has expressed a concern. England are questioning their confidence that they have in the bio-secure environment and rightfully so.

"It has been a player who has tested positive in the last week, who contracted the virus in the last week, they have cause for concern and we respect that concern.

"We've met with the English medical teams and planned out a way. We will retest all of our players and hotel staff tomorrow, which is Saturday.

Empty stands and a message of the match postponement on the screen are seen at Newlands stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, on December 4, 2020. - The first one-day international (ODI) cricket match between South Africa and England has been postponed after a South African player tested positive for COVID-19. (Photo by Rodger BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)
Image: Empty stands and a message of the match postponement on the screen at Newlands

"We'll await the results and plan a course of action. Then on Tuesday before the final ODI on Wednesday, we will test the team again."

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Strict security measures mean players cannot leave the bubble unless accompanied by an official, leaving Dr Manjra with work to do to determine the source of the positive test.

"I can categorically state that no player was able to leave the hotel environment, simply by virtue of the fact there's security around and the security will not allow a player to leave unless that player is leaving in an official assigned vehicle with an official driver," he said.

"There's a command centre here led by the colonel from the Claremont police force and they strictly enforce the bio-bubble. They wouldn't allow anyone to leave. I'm basically saying it's impossible to leave this bio-secure environment for any player or official."

England captain Eoin Morgan leaves the field with team mate Joe Root during a Net Session at Newlands
Image: England captain Eoin Morgan leaves the field with team mate Joe Root

A pre-series round of testing was done to screen the squads, who are both staying at the Vineyard Hotel near the Newlands ground, and one Proteas player was found to have the virus.

The decision was then made not to host the match as planned on Friday but the sides still hope to play the three-match series in full, with the first game now set for Sunday in Paarl before returning for matches in Cape Town on Monday and Wednesday.

That plan clearly hinges on a fresh bout of testing and it is highly likely that any further confirmed cases would put the series at risk.

England will remain at their base in Cape Town on Friday and Saturday in the hope that the three-match series can begin on Sunday.

Watch the first match of the series between South Africa and England live on Sky Sports Cricket from 7.30am on Sunday.

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