Proteas given clean bill of Covid-19 health ahead of Boxing Day Test

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that the entire 17-man Proteas team has returned negative results from the Covid-19 tests that were conducted on Thursday.

FIRST TEST WILL START ON BOXING DAY

The tests were the fourth and final round of scheduled testing ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka starting on Boxing Day, Saturday, December 26.

The Test will take place at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

The first ball is due to be delivered at 10:00.

Following the clash, the second and final Test will take place at the Wanderers from January 3-7, 2021.

SA SQUAD REDUCED TO 17 PLAYERS

Somewhat puzzlingly, there has been no news whatsoever concerning positive – or even negative – tests out of the Sri Lankan camp.

The Proteas’ squad was reduced from 19 to 17 players after Beuran Hendricks and Keegan Petersen were left out having tested positive for Covid-19 prior to skipper Quinton de Kock’s men entering their bio-bubble at the Irene Country Club.

READ | BOXING DAY TESTS IN SA: HISTORY, TRADITIONS AND RESULTS

Proteas Test squad for Sri Lanka series:

Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Sarel Erwee, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, Migael Pretorius, Dwaine Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Raynard van Tonder