Test cancelled ! Cricket Australia makes own stand against Taliban by cancelling men's Test against Afghanistan
"Driving the growth of women's cricket globally is incredibly important to Cricket Australia. Our vision for cricket is that it is a sport for all and we support the game unequivocally for women at every level.
"If recent media reports that women's cricket will not be supported in Afghanistan are substantiated, Cricket Australia would have no alternative but to not host Afghanistan for the proposed Test Match due to be played in Hobart.
"We thank the Australian and Tasmanian Governments for their support on this important issue."
Cricket Australia needed some prompting, but it got there, unlike the world governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC).
In a thinly veiled message to all sports governing bodies, both domestic and international, Australia's sports minister Richard Colbeck told the ABC earlier this week: "The Taliban's attitudes towards women and their individual rights should not be accepted by the international sporting community".
The ICC is still dillydallying despite Afghanistan being in breach of the agreement that allows them a seat at the top table of international cricket.
To be confirmed as a full member of the ICC requires investment in both men's and women's cricket.
The international governing body, in its own statement, said it would discuss the issues at their next board meeting in November, allowing Afghanistan's men's team to compete in next month's T20 World Cup being hosted by the UAE and Oman.
"The ICC is committed to the long-term growth of women's cricket and despite the cultural and religious challenges in Afghanistan, steady progress had been made in this area since Afghanistan's admission as a Full Member in 2017.
"The ICC has been monitoring the changing situation in Afghanistan and is concerned to note recent media reports that women will no longer be allowed to play cricket.
"This and the impact it will have on the continued development of the game will be discussed by the ICC Board at its next meeting."
