Australian cricket tour of South Africa was an ‘unacceptable risk’ for players catching Covid-19

Cricket tour of South Africa was an ‘unacceptable risk’ for players catching the super-infectious local Covid strain – after Proteas turned down offer to play series in Australia

  • Australian cricket team was set to play a test series in South Africa from March 3
  • South Africa is battling its own strain of Covid-19, which has spread to the UK
  • Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said it was an ‘unacceptable risk’ for players
  • Hockley said they offered to host the test series in Australia but Proteas declined
  • Cricket South Africa is ‘disappointed’ the three-test series has been postponed 

Australia offered to host the now-postponed Test series against South Africa but were refused by the Proteas’ cricket hierarchy.

Australia pulled out the scheduled Test tour of South Africa because of coronavirus concerns, angering the hosts who say the decision is costly and unnecessary.

Cricket Australia’s interim chief executive Nick Hockley says he understands the frustration of Cricket South Africa.

But he says medical advice made the tour an ‘unacceptable’ risk to Australia’s players and staff.

The three-Test series was due to start on March 3 as South Africa struggles to contain the virus and a new variant.

The Australian cricket team with Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Australia pulled out the scheduled Test tour of South Africa because of coronavirus concerns, angering the hosts who say the decision is costly and unnecessary

‘We did offer to host the series here but Cricket South Africa made that very clear that they have got lots of other commitments and with quarantine periods and the like, that just wasn’t feasible,’ Hockley told reporters on Wednesday.

‘I don’t think Cricket South Africa could have done any more… in terms of biosecurity arrangements.

‘Firstly, South Africa, very sadly, hit the peak of their second (coronavirus) wave.

‘And secondly, they have got the more virulent strain which there is still lots of unknowns around that.

‘As we worked through the residual risk and also some questions and challenges if we were to get a case, how and when we could our players back home.

‘Putting health and safety absolutely number one, we were really left with no option.’

Riot police patrol during a protest against the government's ban on beaches in Cape Town on Sunday. South Africa is battling its own strain of Covid-19, which has been deemed an ''unacceptable risk' by Cricket Australia

Riot police patrol during a protest against the government’s ban on beaches in Cape Town on Sunday. South Africa is battling its own strain of Covid-19, which has been deemed an ”unacceptable risk’ by Cricket Australia

Cricket South Africa’s director of cricket Graeme Smith said Australia’s concerns were unfounded.

‘We are extremely disappointed by the decision of CA,’ Smith said in a statement.

‘CSA has been working tirelessly in recent weeks to ensure that we meet every single expectation of CA. So to be informed about the CA decision at the eleventh hour is frustrating.’

CSA’s acting chief executive officer Pholetsi Moseki said the organisation had already incurred significant costs while preparing for the Australia tour.

‘In this challenging period for cricket and its member countries, we believe the stance taken by CA is regrettable and will have a serious impact on the sustainability of the less wealthy cricket playing nations,’ he said.

The South African team celebrate the dismissal of Pakistani batsman during January's test series. Cricket South Africa's director of cricket Graeme Smith said he is 'extremely disappointed by the decision of CA' in pulling out of the upcoming test series

The South African team celebrate the dismissal of Pakistani batsman during January’s test series. Cricket South Africa’s director of cricket Graeme Smith said he is ‘extremely disappointed by the decision of CA’ in pulling out of the upcoming test series 

Hockley flatly refuted suggestions finances played a part in the decision, given Australia had played cash cows England and India since the outbreak of coronavirus.

The postponement cruels Australia’s chances of earning a spot in the world Test championship but Hockley ruled out appealing to the ICC for dispensation given the circumstances.

‘We knew all the rules going in,’ he said.

‘That is what has made this decision really, really hard.’

New Zealand are in the box seat to secure one of the spots, while the four-Test series between India and England will determine who snares the other spot.

Hockley said Australia’s T20 squad for the of New Zealand would remain unchanged, with no Test players included.

And coach Justin Langer, who was due to go to South Africa with the Test team, wouldn’t coach the T20 outfit in New Zealand.

Hockley (centre) flatly refuted suggestions finances played a part in the decision, given Australia had played cash cows England and India since the outbreak of coronavirus

Hockley (centre) flatly refuted suggestions finances played a part in the decision, given Australia had played cash cows England and India since the outbreak of coronavirus