The Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed on Wednesday that England will be traveling to South Africa for a four-match limited-overs tour starting in late November, with all matches to be played behind doors in Cape Town and nearby Paarl.
England players will have to face a 10-day quarantine period after arriving in South Africa. CSA has received government approval for the tour, which will consist of 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is between November 27 and December 9.
CSA acting chief executive Kugandrie Govender said the governing body had drawn on the experience of England, who recently hosted Ireland, the West Indies, Pakistan and Australia in bio-bubble environments, to develop their own plans.
“This is a first for us and we commit to learn quickly and with great responsiveness as we have an action-packed international season ahead of us,” Govender said in a media release from CSA on Wednesday.
“The fact that England are the current (ODI) World Cup champions will add tremendously to the two series and will give our own players every motivation to perform at their very best to challenge the reigning champions.”
Chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, Tom Harrison, confirmed the development, saying England players would fly to Cape Town on a chartered flight and praised the plans of CSA for the bio-bubble.
“I would like to personally thank Cricket South Africa for their efforts in ensuring this tour goes ahead and their diligent work to create an environment that is safe for our players and staff,” he said.