Illness woes for SA A force schedule change

Ten out of the 16 South Africa A players have been hospitalised in Chennai, forcing their match on Monday against Australia A to be postponed to Tuesday. A press release from CSA said the squad had been "ravaged by food poisoning." As a result, India A, who were due to have a day off, will step in and play Australia A on Monday, with the BCCI confirming the change in schedule.

Half the South African A roster had fallen ill overnight and Quinton de Kock, who had only flown in last afternoon, was thrust into the XI to face India A today. He managed a gritty century in conditions he has a history of struggling in - slow, turning pitches. But as well as he coped with the challenge from underfoot, the overhead conditions became a little too much. He did not keep wicket, but even fielding on a severely hot afternoon took its toll. He was seen cramping and, in the 32nd over, had to go off the field. CSA has confirmed he was among those who was hospitalised.

Opener Reeza Hendricks, middle-order batsman Khaya Zondo and left-arm seamer Mthokozisi Shezi had not been fit prior to the start of the match, but all three were forced to play because South Africa A did not have enough players to field. The three players also ended up going to the hospital during the course of the match.

Things were so dire that South Africa A's video analyst Hendrikus Coertzen and India A's Mandeep Singh had to be roped in as substitute fielders. Their reserves list for today included Wayne Parnell, Beuran Hendricks, Cameron Delport, Cody Chetty and Keshav Maharaj. But only Hendricks and Maharaj came out as a substitute fielders.