Cricket Australia interim Chief Executive Nick Hockley has clarified the intentions of the board on rescheduling the South Africa tour, postponed in February, ‘as soon as possible’ given that the pandemic situation is under control and there is a slot available in the team’s international calendar. On February 3, Australia had canceled their due visit through South Africa refering to another influx of COVID-19 infection in the host country as the explanation. The Australia men’s cricket crew should leave for South Africa in late February for the three-coordinate Test series, which should be a piece of the ICC World Test Championship.
It caused a stir in Cricket South Africa and CSA’s director of cricket Graeme Smith had communicated his mistake as well as held up a proper grievance with the ICC against CA. Notwithstanding, Hockley has said that they have taken the “initial step” to improve the board’s relationship with their South African partner.
“We would like to reschedule it as soon as possible, providing it is safe to do so, and there is time available in the calendar,” Hockley told Nine Network-owned newspapers.
“Now, that’s not a simple task. Through the pandemic and quarantine periods there is a lot of cricket that has been rescheduled. But we’re right in the middle of constructive discussions and hopefully those discussions will be resolved soon,” he added.
Aside from pulling out the South Africa visit, Australia additionally canceled their Test visit through Bangladesh a year ago alongside restricted overs voyages through New Zealand and Zimbabwe because of the pandemic. In addition, Australia had likewise canceled a one-off Test against Afghanistan at home alongside a home T20I series against West Indies.
