In lieu of the global increase in COVID-19 cases, Australia has decided to pull out of the cricket test series scheduled to take place in South Africa, calling it an “unacceptable risk”. 

Nick Hockley, the Australian Cricket Interim Chief said, “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”. 

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The test series was due to take place in South Africa in February and March. Australia was scheduled to play 3 test matches, but the dates had not been finalised yet. 

Hockley emphasised that this was not an easy decision to make but Australia’s consistent efforts in flattening the curve from the very beginning demand the cancellation of this test series at this time. 

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The new variant of coronavirus in South Africa has raised serious concerns over the safety of the players despite the arrangements of protective biosecurity plans and strict measures, the risk has gauged to be far too much.