Reports: Boxing Day Test between India and South Africa to be played without spectators

The much-awaited Test series between India and South Africa is set to commence on the Boxing Day (December 26) at the Supersport Park in Centurion. The tour was under threat after the emergence of Omicron variant of COVID-19. But the two boards, BCCI and Cricket South Africa (CSA), worked out a revised schedule and went ahead with only Test and ODI series for now while the four T20Is are set to be played at a later date.

Meanwhile, CSA doesn’t seem to be in any mood to affect the Test series against India and has reportedly decided to not allow fans for the Boxing Day Test. Both the teams are in a bio-bubble and a report surfaced a few days ago that a few spectators could be allowed for the series.

But for now, the first Test will be played behind the closed doors. According to a report in Afrikaans language weekly newspaper Rapport, only some suite holders and delegates will be allowed to watch despite the fact that the government’s current COVID-19 restrictions state 2,000 fans can enter the stadium. The organisers are also waiting if the government updates their restrictions ahead of the Test series.

Tickets not on sale yet for the New Year Test

Moreover, there seems to be no chance of the fans flocking the stadium for the New Year Test at Wanderers in Johannesburg. The official Twitter handle of the stadium recently tweeted about the same clarifying that the ticket sales are not yet open while stating that they will update the fans in the coming days.

“Please note, no announcement has been made regarding ticket sales for the upcoming Test match at the #ImperialWanderers Stadium between South Africa and India. At this point, it isn’t clear if fans will be allowed. We will make further announcements in due course,” the tweet read. CSA also postponed the fifth round of the domestic matches on Sunday (December 19) amid COVID-19 threat.

As far as team India is concerned, the Virat Kohli-led side reached the rainbow nation on December 16. CSA has booked an entire resort for the visitors to maintain a strict bio-bubble for the series.