England camp given all-clear after Covid-19 tests come back negative

All players and staff are free to leave South Africa on Thursday (December 10) as scheduled after the unconfirmed positives were ratified

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England's touring party are free to depart South Africa on Thursday (December 10) after being given the all-clear following the retesting of two positive Covid-19 tests.

The entire touring party had been placed in self-isolation after two unnamed individuals returned results suggesting they had contracted the virus.

Independent analysis of the results has since taken place in Cape Town and London, with all players now not said to be at risk and both previously positive tests being deemed to be negative.

An ECB statement on the duo added: "The two individuals are not infected, and do not pose any risk of passing on the infection to the rest of the party. As such, the advice is they are now free to join the rest of the group and are no longer self-isolating."

On Monday (December 7), the three-match one-day international series between South Africa and England was officially postponed. A joint statement released by Cricket South Africa and the England and Wales Cricket Board cited "the mental and physical health and welfare of players" as central to the decision.

Players and backroom staff will therefore depart South Africa on Thursday morning. While much of the squad will return home, a handful - including Jason Roy, Sam Billings, Lewis Gregory and Liam Livingstone - are due in Australia for the upcoming Big Bash League.

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