Proteas ‘A’ hit by food poisoning

Chennai: Ten South Africa ‘A’ players have been hospitalised due to “food poisoning”, including four today after playing their tri-series cricket match against India A here, the visiting team management said.

Opener Quinton de Kock, who hit 108 in his side’s eight-wicket loss, was rushed to a city hospital after the game, while three others were also hospitalised during the course of the match.

Cricket South Africa also issued a press release, saying that currently 10 of their players are in hospital. “With half of the squad going down ill overnight South Africa was forced to play (against India ‘A’ on Sunday) an ill- balanced starting XI that had only four frontline bowlers with the likes of Dean Elgar and Khaya Zondo to make up the rest of the overs,” the CSA said.

“Reeza Hendricks, Zondo and Mthokozisi Shezi were all on the sick list but had to play because there was nobody else available but all three had to be hospitalised during the course of the match. The same applied to De Kock who was hospitalised after the match,” the release said.

In fact, de Kock had to be rushed into action less than 24 hours after arriving in India as six of his teammates were also on the sick bed. Due to the hospitalisation of the players, India ‘A’ will replace South Africa ‘A’ in Monday’s tri-series match against Australia ‘A’.

It has been learnt from sources that South Africa ‘A’ team management requested India A coach Rahul Dravid for a change in schedule as at least six of their players are not fit to take the field against Australia ‘A’ on Monday.

Brief scores: South Africa ‘A’ 244 in 50 (Q. de Kock 108, O. Ramela 26, D. Vilas 50, Sandeep 2/46, Dhawan 4/49,) overs lost to India ‘A’ 247/2 in 37.4 overs (M. Agarwal 130, U. Chand 90).