Kevin Pietersen is one of a number of current and former cricketers to have criticised Cricket Australia’s decision to postpone their tour of South Africa.
Pietersen tweeted: ‘It’s a really dark time in the world of cricket with CA cancelling their tour of @OfficialCSA.’
Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn labelled the decision as a ‘shame’, while Farhaan Behardien questioned the power balance with reference to Australia, England and India.
‘Cricket is not a global game if england, india and australia only play each other. England set to play 9 test matches before September vs India home and away!! #growthegame‘, he tweeted.
READ: Australia opt out of three-Test tour to SA
No way @CricketAus would have not played India in a Test tour.
It’s a really dark time in the world of cricket with CA cancelling their tour of @OfficialCSA. @englandcricket also pulled out of SA due to Covid issues, but players test positive in SL and tour goes on?!
?
— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) February 3, 2021
You think the Aussies would have postponed a tour to India? Or what about a precious Ashes tour to UK. No chance!! I Feel for the players, what a joke!!!
— paul harris (@paulharris12) February 3, 2021
Players leaving Pakistan early to quarantine (extended quarantine requested by Australia) and miss the rest of the tour, new players being handed caps and thrown into the deep end to finish without senior players around them…
This postponement goes deeper than people think.— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) February 3, 2021
It is a shame, I know the proteas players were ready and looking forward to it. Big history between the two nations in cricket, this really is disappointing.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) February 3, 2021
I agree, but look around, it’s a pandemic and Covid isn’t just here in SA, yet we have teams touring all over the world and joining secure bubbles to ensure players health and safety. If this is your argument, then Australia shouldn’t leave aussie soil until world is vaccinated.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) February 3, 2021
The Aussies pulling out of the tour of SA is a huge worry for the game … Would they have pulled out of a tour to India is the question ?? !! It’s so important in these times that the big 3 do everything they can to help out those without the financial clout … #JustSaying
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 3, 2021
Its not ????#ShockingBehaviour https://t.co/S73j3v0LYh
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) February 3, 2021
I really feel for South African cricket.
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) February 3, 2021