Dec 20, 2021: There will be no spectators allowed in the stadium for the upcoming Test and one-day international series between South Africa and India on account of the coronavirus pandemic, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced.

The South African cricket board said in a statement that a joint decision had been taken with the Board of Control for Cricket in India to bar spectators from the grounds in order to prevent any possible breaches of the bio-secure environment in which the matches will be played.

The first of three Tests starts in Centurion on Sunday. They will be followed by three one-day internationals.

As per the statement issued by the cricket board, “This decision was taken in order to avoid any breaches that could compromise the tour from a Covid-risk perspective and to also maintain a hazard-free bubble environment.”

CSA Acting chief executive Pholetsi Moseki said: “This decision was not taken lightly but was instead taken in the best interest of the game and in the interest of the health and safety of all patrons.”

The country is Africa’s worst hit and is where the highly mutated Omicron variant was first detected last month, with more than 3.3 million infections logged and more than 90,000 deaths.

CSA informed broascasters that there will be limited access to the grounds will be granted to fully-vaccinated journalists.

Earlier the CSA announced that the Mzansi Super League Twenty20 tournament, scheduled for February, had been canceled due to increased travel restrictions due to the pandemic.

The tournament, originally planned to draw with South Africa’s Indian Premier League and Australia’s Big Bash League, was canceled after just two editions due to last season’s covid surge.

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