Arthur: We need a break

Arthur: Protecting players

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South Africa coach Mickey Arthur says he is 'relieved' that the ICC Champions Trophy was cancelled and has revealed the team will not be involved in a tri-nations tournament involving Pakistan later this month.

Arthur added that the squad that has just completed a tour of England is in no fit state to play any form of cricket in the near future, and can look forward to a period of rest before welcoming Bangladesh in November.

"I can't think of one player who was involved in both the Test and one-day series in England who has not picked up a niggle," Arthur said on returning to South Africa.

Captain Graeme Smith has an elbow injury that could require surgery, wicket-keeper Mark Boucher has a fractured finger, while bowlers Morne Morkel (side) and Dale Steyn (shoulder) also need rehabilitation.

The Proteas had been approached by the Pakistan Cricket Board to hold a limited-overs series involving Sri Lanka as compensation for the loss of the Champions Trophy due to security fears.

But Arthur said: "I'm sure the tri-series is not going to take place and, in retrospect, it's a relief the Champions Trophy was called off because we would have been back on a plane flying out on Sunday.

"A lot of the senior players have played a hell of a lot of cricket this year, it's taken its toll and they need a break."

Pakistan are desperate to provide some action for their cricket-starved players, who will not play a single Test match this year, and have only played in one-day series against Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and the Asia Cup after Australia refused to tour earlier in the year.

They also have no matches slated for the first half of 2009 prior to the ICC World Twenty20 in June.