Cricket Australia's decision to postpone their Test tour to South Africa was not well received by Proteas fans.
The Baggy Greens were scheduled to play a three-Test series in South Africa later this month but CA's interim chief executive Nick Hockley said on Tuesday that travelling to the country posed "unacceptable" risk to the touring party.
Cricket South Africa's director of cricket Graeme Smith said his organisation was "extremely disappointed by the decision of CA".
"CSA has been working tirelessly in recent weeks to ensure that we meet every single expectation of CA.
"This was set to be the longest tour in a bio-secure environment comprising a three-match Test series that was scheduled to begin with Australia's arrival later in the month. So to be informed about the CA decision at the eleventh hour is frustrating," Smith said.
Social media was abuzz after the sudden cancellation of the tour, with many hinting that the sport's so-called big three - India, England and Australia - were doing as they please.
"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!!!," former Proteas spinner Paul Harris tweeted.
Formmer England captain Michael Vaughan added: " 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."
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
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
Other commentators also aired their views on Twitter:
CSA had secured VIP access for Australia in airports, were going to shell out on a second hotel so Australia had exclusive use of the Irene Country Club and were willing to quarantine EVERYONE involved for 14 days. If I were them, I'd also be annoyed. https://t.co/3NtS5H88rL
— Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) February 2, 2021
Last year, in the heart of Covid-19 unpredictability, Cricket Australia was happy to tour to England. CSA went out of its way to accommodate Australia for the upcoming tour. Disgraceful
— Andre Huisamen (@andrehuisamen) February 2, 2021
Cricket Australia's schedule
— Blacks in Whites (@BlaqsInCricket) February 3, 2021
April 2020 - Cancels Bangladesh tour??
June 2020 - Cancels Zimbabwe tour??
August 2020 - Cancels West Indies tour??
September 2020 - Plays England??
November 2020 - Plays India??
February 2021 - Cancels South Africa tour??
The CEO of @CricketAus says that finances had nothing to do with cancelling the SA tour…. yet they played England and Australia after the outbreak of Covid-19, and cancelled Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
— Kevin McCallum (@KevinMcCallum) February 3, 2021
CA, however, on Wednesday denied it was only interested in lucrative series against India and England.
Hockley described the pull-out as "heartbreaking", insisting the Covid-19 situation in South Africa gave the Australians no choice.
"We share their disappointment, we've all worked to make this tour happen," he told reporters.
"At the end of the day, the weight of medical advice and our duty of care to players and staff meant we were really left with no alternative."
- Compiled by Sport24 staff