MELBOURNE: Australia pulled out of their Test cricket tour to South Africa on Tuesday citing an “unacceptable” risk to players with the coronavirus rampant in the country.

Justin Langer’s men were due to play three Tests against the Proteas, and Australia named their squad last week with the intent to fly out this month.

But the situation became untenable with the outbreak in South Africa accelerated by a new variant said to be more contagious than earlier strains of the virus.

With almost 1.5 million detected infections and more than 44,000 fatalities, it has the highest number of cases and deaths on the continent.

Cricket Australia (CA) interim chief Nick Hockley said the medical advice was not to travel.

CSA terms decision ‘extremely disappointing’

“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,” he said.

“This decision has not been made lightly and we are extremely disappointed, especially given the importance of continuing international cricket at this time.

“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 a bio-security plan, the risks are simply too great at this time.”

The decision almost certainly ends Australia’s hopes of playing in the World Test Championship final, a stated goal of captain Tim Paine. They are currently sitting third behind India and points table toppers New Zealand.

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday said the country had “passed the peak” of its second coronavirus infection wave, but the virus remains a major problem.

Authorities are planning to vaccinate at least 67 per cent of the population by year’s end.

There are currently no contingencies in place for the tour, although Hockley suggested the Tests could be played at a later date.

“We look forward to playing the series against CSA at a date to be confirmed in due course,” he said.

The tour was originally scheduled for February-March.

It is the second major tour of South Africa to be cancelled in recent months after England pulled out of their trip midway through a one-day series in December over a Covid-19 outbreak among its touring party.

It is also the second men’s Test tour Australia have postponed in the last 12 months after cancelling a trip to Bangladesh last year.

Australian Cricketers’ Association interim chief Joe Connellan backed Hockley’s decision.

“The Australian players were ready for the contest with South Africa, especially to support South Afri­can cricket at this time with the added challenge of making the final of the ICC Test Championship,” he said.

“But this is the right call given the Covid data coming out of South Africa.”

No dates were given on when Australia’s tour to South Africa might take place.

Meanwhile, CSA said Australia’s decision to pull out of next month’s three-Test tour in South Africa due to the pandemic is “extremely disappointing” considering the hosts had put in place a number of safety measures.

CSA Director of Cricket Graeme Smith believes the Australian concerns are 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.”

South Africa hosted Sri Lanka for two Tests around the turn of the year and their test side are currently touring Pakistan.

CSA acting chief executive officer Pholetsi Moseki said costs already incurred by the organisation in planning for the Australia tour were significant.

“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.”

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2021