Cricket Australia has confirmed that Australia A will not tour South Africa amid the ongoing pay dispute.
The decision comes just days after the squad resolved that they would not tour if a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was not agreed upon.
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‘Cricket Australia (CA) is disappointed that players have today confirmed that they are unwilling to take part in the Australia A tour of South Africa. CA has never and would never attempt to compel any player to represent Australia at any level if they were unwilling to do so,’ CA said in a statement on its website.
‘The Australia A tour was projected to cost CA in the vicinity of $250 000 to stage. All funds that can be recouped as a result of not touring will be allocated by CA to the National Communities Facilities Fund,’ the statement continued.
Cricket Australia reiterated its commitment to finding a solution to the current stall in negotiations and agree a new MOU.
‘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,’ concluded the statement.
Australia were due to play South Africa A in two four-day matches and participate in a triangular series, which would also feature India A.