South Africa’s decision to field a heavily depleted Test squad for the New Zealand tour due to the clash with their domestic T20 competition, SA20, prompted concerns about Test cricket’s future.
Cricket South Africa faced criticism for picking a Test squad without their key players for the upcoming New Zealand tour, instead opting for a team largely comprising uncapped players due to their commitment to the SA20 domestic T20 league. CSA responded, attributing the absence of top players to the tightly packed global cricket schedule.
The decision left many, including prominent figures like Steve Waugh and Venkatesh Prasad, concerned about the future of Test cricket. CSA clarified that the tour dates were established before finalizing the SA20 schedule and attempted, though unsuccessfully, to find an alternative slot for the Test series in collaboration with New Zealand Cricket.
“We reassure the fans that CSA has the utmost respect for the Test format as the pinnacle of the game we love. The dates for this tour were set when the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2023-2027 was finalized in 2022. The window for the SA20 had not been determined at that stage. Once it became apparent that there would be a clash, we made every effort to find another mutually suitable time slot for this 2 Test series in consultation with New Zealand Cricket,” the official statement read.
“Regrettably the constraints imposed by the global cricket calendar rendered this impossible, as the games must be played before April 2025 as part of the World Test Championship. Our schedule for the remainder of the FTP has been managed to ensure that there will not be any further clashes between our bilateral commitments and the SA20. CSA remains fully committed to international cricket and to strengthening the SA20, a tournament that was initiated by us to help grow and sustain the game,” it added.
South Africa’s tour to New Zealand is a segment of the World Test Championship, featuring two matches. The initial game will take place in Mount Maunganui from February 4-8, followed by the second match in Hamilton from February 13-17.
SA Test Squad for the New Zealand Tour: Neil Brand (capt), David Bedingham, Ruan de Swardt, Clyde Fortuin (wk), Zubayr Hamza, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Duanne Olivier, Dane Paterson, Keegan Petersen, Dane Piedt, Raynard van Tonder, Shaun von Berg, Khaya Zondo.
Last Updated on January 3, 2024
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