Zubayr Hamza hit a barrel for South Africa A.© Cricket South Africa
A pair of false COVID-19 positive reports in the India A camp had caused a slight stir before the visitors became embroiled in yet another stalemate with South Africa A as the three ‘Test’ series ended in nil-nil. The series played against the backdrop of Omicron scare in the Rainbow Nation was set to be halted on the business side after two of India’s support staff initially tested positive for COVID 19 before their repeat test went negative. According to BCCI sources, the match would have been canceled halfway through if the repeat tests had also come out positive and after it was confirmed it was a false alarm, authorities decided to proceed with the proceedings.
The three-game run ahead of the senior team’s tour came to the fore after multiple COVID-19 cases involving the Omicron variant were discovered in the country. However, the BCCI was assured of the players’ safety by CSA and the series continued.
On Thursday, India was 90 for 3 in 17 overs, chasing an unlikely 304 before the game was called off after South Africa, riding Zubayr Hamza’s 125, declared their second innings at 311 for three, extending their overall lead to 303 .
Krishnappa Gowtham got a couple of wickets. As second batter, Prithvi Shaw again managed to get 38 balls out of 34 with eight fours before being ejected. The series turned out to be a good one for Abhimanyu Easwaran, who would remain in the mix along with Priyank Panchal, while Hanuma Vihari is now back in the main test squad after consistent scores.
promoted
Arzan Nagwaswalla, Navdeep Saini, Deepak Chahar and spinner Saurabh Kumar will be left on standby and could be included in the main squad if anyone is injured or isolated from COVID-19. Everyone else flies back to India on a charter plane.
Short scores: SA 268 and 311/3 decl (Zubayr Hamza 125, Krishnappa Gowtham 2/81). India A 276 and 90/3 (Prithvi Shaw 38). Match signed.
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