The Australian Women’s limited-overs series against the Proteas Women in South Africa, which was scheduled to start later this month, has been cancelled.

The cancellation is a preventative measure against the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Several sporting events around the world, including cricket’s Everest Premier League in Nepal, have been postponed or cancelled due to the outbreak.

READ: Proteas will likely shine ball despite health implications

The series was scheduled to comprise three ODIs and as many T20Is. Australia and South Africa recently contested a semi-final in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Australia won the match – and were eventually crowned champions. They beat India in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Cricket South Africa has accepted the decision of the Australian Cricket Board to postpone the planned inbound tour of the Australian Women’s team to South Africa for a series of ODI and T20I matches,’ read a statement from CSA.

‘Citing and assessing the situation around the coronavirus situation and its rapid spread and including the current trajectory of coronavirus Australia communicated its decision to postpone the tour, in consideration of the health, safety and the interest of players.

‘This has purely been done because of the risk to the health and safety of the players and to also allow for time in order to ensure that all decision-makers have all the correct information and intelligence about how the virus is manifesting and including the efforts to deal with its rapid spread.’

Meanwhile, the remainder of this month’s ODI series between the Proteas and India has been cancelled as a precautionary measure as well. The series opener in Dharamsala was washed out on Thursday. Lucknow and Kolkata were scheduled to host the second and third ODI, respectively.

Photo: Gallo Images