'Heartbreaking': Australia Defends Decision To Scrap South Africa Tour

Cricket Australia denied Wednesday it was only interested in lucrative series against India and England after scrapping next month's Test tour to South Africa over coronavirus fears. The withdrawa

Hockley said CA had offered to host the series in Australia, where the virus is largely contained, but scheduling clashes and the need to quarantine meant it was not feasible for the South Africans. He hoped the three-match series could be rescheduled but said no arrangements had yet been made.

Australia has also dropped series against the West Indies, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and New Zealand since the pandemic hit. Yet they recently hosted a money-spinning series against India and traveled to England for limited-overs matches, with Joe Root's men scheduled to travel Down Under later this year for the marquee Ashes series.

Hockley denied financial considerations had played a part in Australia's scheduling decisions during the pandemic.

"I'd refute that in the strongest possible terms," he said.

"We have done absolutely everything we possibly can to make this tour happen. It's a very difficult situation in South Africa just now, that's what makes it even more heartbreaking that we are not able to go.

"We would love to go but the medical advice says it's not safe to do so. We want to play cricket, we want to support world cricket."