Australia withdraw from South Africa tour over COVID-19 concerns

Australia pulled out of the three-match Test series in South Africa on Tuesday amid a second wave of COVID-19 and a new variant of the virus in the country and said that it poses an “unacceptable level” of risk for players.

“It has become clear that travelling from Australia to South Africa at this current time poses an unacceptable level of health and safety risk to our players, support staff and the community,” Cricket Australia interim chief Nick Hockley said.

Australia were due to play three Test matches in South Africa in February and March. Dates for the tour were yet to be confirmed due to concerns over COVID-19.

Cricket Australia issued a statement on its decision to pull out of the tour and further said that the series against South Africa will be played at a date which will be confirmed in due course.

“Due to the public health situation in South Africa, which includes a second wave and new variant of the virus, and following extensive due diligence with medical experts, it has become clear that traveling from Australia to South Africa at this current time poses an unacceptable level of health and safety risk to our players, support staff and the community.

“We acknowledge the significant amount of work by CSA in planning for the tour, during which we made it clear that CA was prepared to take on additional cost and effort to make the series happen.

“This decision has not been made lightly and we are extremely disappointed, especially given the importance of continuing international cricket at this time, our valued relationship with CSA, and our aspirations to compete in the inaugural ICC World Test Championship.

“However, we have been consistent since the start of the pandemic that the health and safety of our people is always our number one priority and unfortunately despite best efforts to agree to a biosecurity plan, the risks are simply too great at this time.

“As difficult and disappointing a decision as this is, especially for Justin, Tim and the team, we have a duty of care to our people and their health and safety can’t be compromised.

“We look forward to playing the series against CSA at a date to be confirmed in due course and we send CSA and the people of South Africa our very best wishes for a successful rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and a return to normality soon,” the statement read.