South Africa Women have refused the ECB’s invitation:
South Africa Women have refused to accept the invitation of ECB for a tour to the UK this year September. CSA forced to take this decision because of the travel restrictions imposed by the government on the South Africa National teams.
Graeme Smith, the director of CSA said: “It is really pathetic that another chance for our Momentum Proteas to play in the opposition of top players has missed because of the safety of players as well as supporting staff.”
England had planned to host two women’s T20Is and five ODIs in the month of September. A tri-series with India also dismissed. Last month England’s women cricket team resumed to training and have been playing intra-team games in a bio-secure environment in Derby.
Clare Connor Statement:
The denying statement of CSA has worked as a blow to the hopes of ECB of organizing women’s international cricket this summer. Clare Connor, the managing director of women’s cricket said that she was very sad with the news but now also there is hope to stage matches with West Indies women.
Furthermore, Connor said, “We have been working to provide the same level of bio-secure standards for both men’s as well as women’s international cricket, an investment involved with the best hotel for the squads, chartered fights along with medical facilities.” A team of ECB has built a dedicated behind-closed-door atmosphere with help of the Incora County Ground, Derby to host all our women’s internationals.
She added “Girls, as well as Women’s cricket, is a major part of the strategy of ECB and despite the critical situation of COVID-19, this goal has not diminished. We try to find out all options to see the England Women team play competitive cricket this summer.”
Now the borders of South Africa are closed for international travel, although the emergency flight is permitted to land, and also business travel is allowed after government approval.