South Africa make two Covid replacements in second Test against Bangladesh

Two players were withdrawn from South Africa's team on the fourth day of the second Test against Bangladesh at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Monday after testing positive for Covid-19.

Batsman Sarel Erwee and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder were replaced by Khaya Zondo and Glenton Stuurman. It was a first Test cap for specialist batsman Zondo, although he would be unable to bat because both South African innings had been completed.

The replacements were made in line with a decision made by the International Cricket Council in June 2020 to allow substitutes in Test matches for players testing positive for coronavirus.

According to a statement from Cricket South Africa, it was also in accordance with a protocol agreed between CSA and the Bangladesh board before 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," Dr Shuaib Manjra, CSA's chief medical officer said. 

"This is in line with the country's policy in revoking the Disaster Management Act with reference to the pandemic, as well the huge mental strain that a bubble environment induces."