This is why Australia A team won’t be travelling to South Africa

The Australia A team’s tour to South Africa, featuring two four-day games and five one-days, begins on 12 July. Unfortunately, the young team won’t be travelling to the land of Proteas.

The decision was made under the shadow of the pay dispute between senior Australian team and Cricket Australia. Australian senior players who have shown their dissent towards the payment offered by Cricket Australia have refused to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The MoU was supposed to be signed by the end of June failing which Cricket Australia warned its players about being unemployed. Australian players who are unhappy with the pay refused to sign the MoU even after being notified by Cricket Australia.

In an attempt to support their senior players, and to ensure that their career won’t be similar to the senior team, Australia A team has made their decision not board the flight to South Africa.

As reported by BBC, Australia A captain Usman Khawaja said, “Not to go is a sacrifice in some respects but we see the broader picture."

"Hopefully something can be resolved, but if it's not, it's a tough decision that had to be made, added Khawaja.

The pay dispute between two bodies has affected more than 200 players. These developments in Australian cricket will also affect Indian A team.

In the month of June, India-A team was announced for tri-series in South Africa. Looking at the current development in Australia, the Australia A team which is a part of series may not compete in the series. This will lead India A team to not travel to South Africa.

"We're closely following the proceedings in Australia. If the One-day Tri-series is scrapped, there's no point in sending a team just for two four-day games all the way to South Africa," said a Board official to TOI. 

• Australia Cricket Board
• South Africa Series