Tour match downgraded as England hit by illness

England's three-day match against South Africa A, starting at Willowmoore Park on Friday, has been downgraded because of illness of three England bowlers. Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and Jack Leach are all struggling with illness. Cricket South Africa anunced on Thursday that it had agreed to a request by England to change match from a fixture with first-class status to a n-first-class friendly game. 

READ | 'Needed A Destructive Player In Middle-order, That Is Why Went For Maxwell': Anil Kumble

Any 11 players will be able to bat or bowl, which will enable tourists to bring players in during match, even if y are t fit eugh to start. England team media manr Danny Reuben said all three players started feeling flu-like symptoms two days ago and had progressively felt worse.  All three stayed at team hotel on Wednesday when England were in field on second day of a two-day match against a Cricket South Africa Invitation XI at Willowmoore Park.

READ | ‘Yashasvi Jaiswal Used To Sell Pani Puris’: Preity Zinta Lauds Despite Missing Out On Him

"Two to three or members of team and two members of backroom staff felt unwell today with similar symptoms," said Reuben. 

"We hope that within 48 to 72 hours we will see improvements in ir health." Reuben thanked Cricket South Africa for ir flexibility. 

READ | From Selling Panipuri To Multi-crore IPL Deal: Yashasvi's Pursuit Of Happiness

"In rmal circumstances we would have wanted to play match first-class," he said.

Friday's match was due to be England's only first-class fixture ahead of first Test of a four-match World Test Championship series against South Africa, which starts at Centurion on December 26. 

READ | IPL Auction 2020: Pat Cummins Net Worth, Contract With Kolkata Knight Riders