The renowned Australian skipper Steve Waugh has expressed disapproval of the move, claiming it is a step toward Test cricket’s demise. In order to demonstrate his lack of regard for New Zealand, he even begged them not to play in the series.
On Saturday, December 30, South Africa announced their 14-man team for the two-match series against New Zealand that will start on February 4. But the number of fresh faces on the team—seven rookies have won their first-ever call-ups to the South African Test team—drew the attention of the experts. Since the team’s regular players will be busy playing in South Africa’s top domestic T20 league, known as “SA20,” Neil Brand, a left-handed opener without any experience, will be in charge.
They obviously don’t give a damn. If the South African cricket board’s policy of keeping their best players at home is any guide, it will happen. Not even if I were from New Zealand would I play the series. I have no idea why they are even having a game. As it demonstrates a lack of regard for New Zealand cricket, why would you?” The Sydney Morning Herald cited Waugh.
Waugh had already called on the International Cricket Council (ICC), along with other major cricket boards like the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Cricket Australia (CA), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), to intervene in order to preserve the oldest and purest version of the game.
Notably, players under contract with SA20 teams are not eligible to be selected for the Test series, as per the CSA (Cricket South Africa) decision. Additionally, South Africa has a history of putting their franchise cricket ahead of international matters; before the league’s debut season, they had forfeited an ODI series in Australia.
Speaking ahead of time, Waugh recommended that the top boards implement a rule that would provide competitive match prices for all countries that play Test cricket, encouraging participation in the format.
There should be rewards for playing Test cricket: Steve Waugh
“I can see why players choose not to go. Their compensation is inadequate. In order to encourage people to play Test cricket, he said, “I don’t see why the ICC or the wealthy nations don’t just have a regulated fixed charge for Test matches, which is a premium.
The speedster Haris Rauf of Pakistan has decided to participate in the Big Bash League (BBL) rather than the current Test series against his nation in Australia, while the West Indies have not yet announced their entire squad for the two-match Test series in Australia. Thus, according to a few analysts, these events are worrying indicators of Test cricket’s creeping demise.
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