Cricket South Africa
South Africa have withdrawn from their ODI series in Australia scheduled for January next year and the hosts are now set to be awarded the ODI Super League points from the three matches.
With South Africa effectively losing the series 3-0, it pushes them closer to missing direct qualification for the 2023 World Cup in India.
Last month CSA made a request to Cricket Australia to move the series, which was to take place after the three Tests matches - but in a crowded calendar no window has been found - so the matches are cancelled.
"Unfortunately, due to the congested international schedule including the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, there are no alternative dates available," Cricket Australia said in a statement on Wednesday.
Cricket Australia said South Africa had agreed that Australia would be awarded the competition points, pending approval from the International Cricket Council.
South Africa's forfeit could affect their chances of qualifying directly for next year's one-day World Cup in India.
The Proteas are currently 11th in the World Cup Super League standings, with only the top seven teams apart from hosts India to qualify directly for the 10-team tournament.
"CSA has agreed that the ICC award Australia the competition points," said CEO Pholetsi Moseki
"While we are saddened at losing the crucial points, we are confident that our in-form Proteas team will garner the requisite points through the remaining games to secure automatic qualification to the showpiece event in India next year.
"As difficult as this decision has been for CSA, the long-term sustainability of our new T20 League is reliant on having all our domestic players available for this exciting new addition to the CSA calendar," he said.
ESPNcricinfo/CSA
