Australia's captain Tim Paine (L) speaks with Australia's Mitchell Starc
Australia's Test captain Tim Paine (left) speaks with Mitchell Starc during their last series against India. Image Credit: AFP

Kolkata: Australia pulled out of their Test cricket series in South Africa on Tuesday due to what they perceive as “unacceptable” risk for players, with coronavirus rampant in the country. This is the second instance after the England-South Africa one-day series was called off midway with positive cases in either camp casting a shadow on the cricket fixtures in the country.

“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,” said Cricket Australia interim chief Nick Hockley.

Australia were due to play three Tests in South Africa. The tour was originally scheduled for February and March, but the dates had yet to be locked in due to concerns over Covid-19.