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Keegan Petersen, Beuran Hendricks out from SA squad for not entering bio-bubble


In the ongoing saga of South African cricket team's struggles with COVID-19 infections, the latest episode involves Beuran Hendricks and Keegan Petersen being withdrawn from the Proteas squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka as the two men failed to enter the bio-bubble created for the players ahead of the first match. 

The squad, which initially consisted of 19 players has now been reduced to 17. The remaining players have gone through three stages of testing and have all been found negative for the dreaded infection. This means the bio-bubble is secure. To keep it that way, no further additions will be made to the group. 

This exclusion is a big blow for Hendricks. A talented left-arm seamer who has been on the fringes of the national side for years, he finally made his Test debut during the last home season for his team, against England a Johannesburg, and managed to grab a five-for in the second innings. 

With Kagiso Rabada missing in action due to an injury, his place in the team was almost certain. Having squandered this opportunity, he now will yield his place to someone among a list of new names - Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, or Migael Pretorius. This would be a big blow for him. 

Petersen would be even more dejected by his failure to get into the bubble in time. South Africa have a vacancy in their middle order and he could have easily filled it. He too would make way for a new name, if South Africa go for a seven-men batting line-up. Otherwise, with Quinton de Kock batting at no. 6, the Proteas may be happy to play with a five-man bowling attack. 

The first Test of the two-match series begins on Boxing Day at Centurion. The secon Test would be played at Johannesburg, begining on January 3. 

Cricket South Africa have already suffered due to lax COVID protocols. The tour of England to South Africa had to be cut-short and the ODI series fully postponed due to players in the home team testing positive. The administrators wouldn't like any further cancellations this season. 


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