Australia to not play in the South Africa Test tour due to Coronavirus risk

According to reports, Australia decided to leave the South Africa test tour this Tuesday. Sources state that the main reason for this is the growing risk of Covid-19 contamination for the players in the country.

The Australian team was expected to play around three test matches facing off with the Proteas. As per reports, they were expected to fly to South Africa this month.

However, recently, there are reports that the Coronavirus has updated into a new variety of highly contagious strain. Not to mention, the outbreak of this new strain is very widespread in South Africa.

In this continent, around 44,000 people have lost their lives to the second outbreak wave and there are approximately 1.5 million cases detected. This marks the highest infection and death count of this pandemic in South Africa to date.

According to the interim chief of Cricket Australia, Nick Hockley, the professional medical verdict is not to travel there.

If they go to South Africa, there is a high risk of contamination for the Australian team and staff. Thus, the officials have decided to pull out of the tour altogether to protect the team’s health and safety.

Hockley further speaks on his disappointment in the situation, saying this decision was hard to make. While it is important to show international cooperation at the moment, he admits that the safety of the citizens holds a higher priority. Since the current risk is too high, the officials had no other choice than to drop out.

The Australia team captain, Tim Payne had previously stated his goal to play in the finals of the World Test Championship. However, this recent decision cost the team this wish.

At the moment, the rank of Australia in the Championship follows after India and New Zealand.

Recently, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa gave his statement on Monday. He spoke about the current Coronavirus condition in the continent. While the second wave is not at its highest peak at the moment, the death and infection rate is still high.

According to further reports, the South African authority aims to vaccinate around 67% of the entire population over this year.

As for the test matches, there are no contingencies available at the moment.

On this matter, Hockley opined that postponing the Tests might help. He stated the team would be willing to take part in matches if the dates are moved ahead to a more stable period.

Previously, the schedule of this Championship was to occur between February and March.

This cancellation of the South African tour is the second such incident to occur recently. In December 2020, England cut their trip short, in the middle of the one-day series. The reason for this situation was the Coronavirus outbreak as well.

As for Australia, the team previously canceled a tour to Bangladesh last year.

The interim chief of the Australian Cricketers’ Association affirmed his support of this decision. According to him, the team was ready to go up against South Africa and that they could reach the finals. However, due to this recent Coronavirus situation, Hockley’s decision was the only sensible one left to make.