Aus pull out of SA tour, NZ in final

MELBOURNE: Australia pulled out of their tour to South Africa citing an unacceptable risk to players with Covid-19 rampant in the country. Australia were due to play three Tests and were to fly out this month. But the situation became untenable with the outbreak in South Africa accelerated by a new variant. With more than 44,000 fatalities, SA the highest deaths in the continent. CA chief Nick Hockley said the medical advice was not to travel. Australia’s pulling out means New Zealand are in the final of the World Test Championship, to be held at Lord’s from June 18-22.