The three-match One Day International Series between South Africa and England will start from Sunday in Paarl, Capetown after the entire South African cricket squad tested negative for COVID-19, reported AFP.

Cricket South Africa released a statement on Saturday saying, they were  “pleased to announce that the entire Proteas team has returned negative results.”

The last round of COVID-19 tests were conducted on Friday, said the apex cricketing body of the African nation.

Following a COVID-19 positive result of an unnamed South African player residing within a bio bubble, the three-match series rescheduled for Sunday, Monday and Wednesday were in jeopardy. 

The first match of the ODI series which was originally slated to begin on Friday, was called off one hour prior to its start following the startling revelation of COVID-19 positive tests.

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Two South African players tested positive for COVID-19 before the start of the Twenty20 series between the two countries which finished this week with the visiting English side white-washing the proteas 3-0.

The decision to go ahead with the ODI series comes as a relief to the organising members of South African Cricket, who are still investigating how a player was contaminated with the novel virus while inside the bubble.

Following the positive result South African team doctor Shuaib Manjra said, “This (positive) test has surprised us because we had confidence in the bio-secure environment.”

He added, “There has been some kind of breach which we have investigated in great detail to try and determine where this happened, by speaking to the player and looking at security camera footage.”

Manjra also quashed rumours of at least one South African cricketer leaving the hotel and said, “I can categorically state that no player would be able to leave the hotel environment.”

He added, “It is impossible to leave except in an official vehicle with an official driver.”

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As both sides are staying at the same hotel, the English cricket association has raised concerns over the positive results.

The English medical team “is questioning the confidence they have in the bio-secure environment — and rightfully so,” reported AFP quoting the South African cricket association. It added, “We respect that concern and met with the England medical teams.”