SA-A T20 series cancelled
Cricket Ireland confirmed on Monday that the four game Twenty20 series against South Africa A has been cancelled.
Following the postponement of the game on Monday, and with a mixed weather forecast for the week ahead, Cricket South Africa (CSA) requested the cancellation of the remainder of the tour to enable their players to return to South Africa to gain some match time ahead of next month's ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka.
South Africa A coach Vincent Barnes said the decision had been difficult.
"It's not a decision we've taken lightly, but given the amount of cricket that's been lost on the trip already, and with the further likelihood of further disruption, we felt it was necessary to give the players a chance to prepare for the ICC World Twenty20," said Barnes.
"It's been an incredibly frustrating tour for everyone concerned with the weather, but I'd like to thank Cricket Ireland for their hospitality and understanding in what was a difficult decision for ourselves."
Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom said he understood the need for CSA to cancel the series.
"We fully appreciate that the priority for Cricket South Africa is to give players that might be involved in the ICC World T20 every opportunity to get meaningful practice beforehand, which we cannot guarantee here, so we completely appreciate their decision," said Deutrom.
"It goes without saying that we are disappointed for everyone, not least the players of both sides, our sponsors and the hosting venues of Malahide and Oak Hill that have put in so much effort, but have been ultimately defeated by the awful weather,
"Although the forecast for the second half of the week is much better, the long-range view for Sunday is uncertain, while the inability of the players to train meaningfully before then and risk possible injury is too big to take."
