Keegan Petersen, the hero of South Africa’s home Test series win over India, has been ruled out of their tour of New Zealand after testing positive for Covid-19, damaging the team’s chances.
Zubayr Hamza has replaced the batter.
CSA says Peterson is doing well and is asymptomatic.
“Cricket South Africa’s medical team will keep in constant contact with him to ensure his physical and mental wellbeing,” the statement said.
On Wednesday, the Proteas will depart for New Zealand.
South Africa’s hero of their triumph over India, Keegan Petersen, was ruled out of the New Zealand tour on Wednesday after testing positive for Covid-19, dealing a blow to the team’s prospects.
Zubayr Hamza has been substituted for the batter.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) said in a statement that Peterson is doing “well” and has no symptoms.
“Cricket South Africa’s medical team will keep in close contact with him to ensure his physical and mental well-being,” the statement read.
On Wednesday, the Proteas will depart for New Zealand.
Petersen, 28, led the run charts with 276 runs from six innings at an average of 46.00 in the preceding three-match Test series against a formidable Indian side.
In the series, he scored three half-centuries, with scores of 72, 82, and 62, as well as impressing with his fielding skills.
In the first Test, South Africa lost by 113 runs in Centurion, but won successive tests by seven wickets in Johannesburg and Cape Town to win the series.
There will be two Test matches between South Africa and New Zealand starting February 17.
In the meantime, Stuff.co.nz reports that Kane Williamson is likely to miss the Tests against South Africa due to an elbow injury.
