Oz cite 'busy schedule in 2009' for inability to tour Pak even next year
26 Aug 2008, 1352 Hrs

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Sydney, Aug 26 (ANI): Even as Pakistanis are still aggrieved at the ICC's decision to postpone the Champions Trophy till next year because of security apprehensions of the Aussies and other international players, the Australians have begun suggesting that they won't be able to tour for the eight-nation next year too, as they are preoccupied with other commitments.

There are two engagements listed for the Aussies in October 2009 on the ICC's future tours programme, one of which is the major clash between Australia and India and it will need to be altered for the global tournament (CT) to occur.

The one-day contest is currently scheduled for seven matches, which will take up most of the month, and Australia will have to squeeze any extra duties in between the end of their four-month Ashes campaign and the start of the home season against Pakistan in November. Australia's final match in England is a one-day fixture on September 20 and there are some in the set-up who are already wondering how to cram it in, reported the Daily Times.

Reacting to the postponement of the tourney, a Cricket Australia (CA) spokesman said: "It's a good decision for cricket and we are pleased it was unanimous. We look forward to dealing with our international colleagues over the details of when the tournament will be postponed to."

The other series set down for October 2009 is between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, who have not qualified for the eight-team event, he added.

Aussies' stand-in captain Michael Clarke also hailed the postponement of the tournament. "Every team needs to fit the schedule. It's a great result for all the players to find out whether we're going or not going. All the guys are happy now," the paper quoted Clarke as saying. (ANI)