The Australia A cricket tour of South Africa will not go ahead ©Getty Images

Cricket Australia (CA) have confirmed the cancellation of the Australia A cricket team tour of South Africa after failing to reach an agreement over a pay dispute.

Cancellation appeared certain when the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), who have been representing the players during the ongoing row with CA, stated they would not tour unless a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is agreed.

Contracts for more than 200 players who represent the men’s and women’s national sides and state teams expired on June 30.

New deals proposed by CA have not been signed by the players over an objection to the removal of an element which gave them a share of the governing body’s profits.

CA bosses claim a pay-rise offered to the cricketers means they would be earning more, but the ACA claim they will actually receive less money in the real-terms.

The organisation have stated they “regret” the decision taken by the players, asserting that progress had been made in talks with the ACA.

“These talks included regular communication between chief executives,” CA stated.

“While a new MOU has not yet been agreed, CA is of the view that these talks should have enabled the tour to proceed as planned.

“CA will continue to work towards a new MOU which is in the interests of both the players and the game and calls upon the ACA to show the flexibility clearly now needed to achieve that outcome.

“The Australia A tour was projected to cost CA in the vicinity of AUS$250,000 (£147,000/$190,000/€166,000) to stage.

Failure to reach an agreement over a pay dispute has led to the cancellation ©Getty Images
Failure to reach an agreement over a pay dispute has led to the cancellation ©Getty Images

“All funds that can be recouped as a result of not touring will be allocated by CA to the National Communities Facilities Fund.

“Australia A squad members with multi-year state and BBL contracts will continue to have these honoured.”

The tour had been scheduled to begin on July 12 with the Australians due to play two four-day matches against their hosts.

They were then set to play a three-way one-day series against South Africa and India.

Other matches that could be affected if new deals are not agreed include the upcoming Ashes series against England, due to start in November.

A temporary deal was agreed to keep the women's national team playing at the International Cricket Council World Cup, currently taking place in England.