The Australia A side has decided to boycott South Africa tour over pay dispute today with Cricket Australia. They have decided to opt out of the tour regarding payment. There was no breakthrough in the matter as they were scheduled to fly to South Africa on 8th July.
It was expected as the tour was under scanner for months as Australian Cricket Association was firm with the decision. Over 230 cricketers were left unemployed as this situation got worst.
By making this call, the Australia A players have sacrificed their own ambitions for the collective,” the ACA said in a statement. “(It’s) an incredibly selfless act that shows their strength and overall commitment to the group.”
The Australia A players have been training for the tour in Brisbane that was to tour South Africa for tri-series involving hosts South Africa A, India A , and four two-day matches. The squad included test players including Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell, and Jackson Bird which would have played both formats. There was an emergency meeting with Australia Cricket Association on Sunday not to go ahead with the tour unless the CA the 30th June Memorandum of Understanding was missed.
“All players are deeply disappointed at the behavior of CA which forces this course of action, given the players would rather be playing for their country. CA refuse to attend mediation or offer any genuine flexibility in the MOU negotiations. And without mediation, it’s hard to see how there can be the progress necessary to reach an agreement.”
“While a new MOU has not yet been agreed, CA is of the view that these talks should have enabled the tour to proceed as planned. CA will continue to work towards a new MOU which is in the interests of both the players and the game and calls upon the ACA to show the flexibility clearly now needed to achieve that outcome.”
It is a huge blow for Australia A team to not play in the tri-series and also two four-day matches. This was a big chance lost for Australia A squad to showcase their talent.
