Hospitalisation of South Africa A players forces tour schedule change

Chennai, Aug 10 - As many as 10 South Africa A cricketers were on Sunday hospitalised after suffering food poisoning here, forcing a change to the tour schedule of the ongoing 50-over tri-series also involving the A teams of India and Australia.

The South Africa A team members were down with a stomach bug before, during and after their tri-series clash against India A on Sunday. India A won the match by eight wickets. It was India A's first victory in the tri-series.

The situation was so bad that, with half of the squad falling ill overnight, South Africa A were forced to use their video analyst Henrikus Coertzen in the field, as well as India A's Mandeep Singh on Sunday at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, a sports website reported.

South Africa's Reeza Hendricks, Khaya Zondo and Mthokozisi Shezi took their place in the playing team despite being among those feeling ill -- however, they all had to be taken to hospital during the course of the match.

The circumstances have forced a change to the tri-series schedule that will now see Australia A take on the home side on Monday, followed by a match-up with the South Africans on Tuesday.

(IANS)