The upcoming 2-match Test series between South Africa and New Zealand in February 2024 has sparked a significant debate in the cricketing world, especially after South Africa announced a squad that many consider to be less than full strength. The team, consisting of 14 players, features seven who have yet to make their Test debut, including the potential captain, Neil Brand.
This controversial selection by South Africa coincides with the scheduling of the SA20, a domestic franchise-based T20 league starting on January 10. As a result, many of South Africa’s regular Test players, such as Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, and Kagiso Rabada, will be absent from the Test series. In their place, players like David Bedingham, Keegan Petersen, and Zubayr Hamza, who are part of the squad facing India, will be traveling to New Zealand.
Former Australian captain Steve Waugh expressed deep concerns over this decision and its implications for the future of Test cricket. He noted that South Africa's choice to prioritize the T20 league over a traditional Test series could undermine the integrity and importance of the longest format of the game.
"Is this a defining moment in the death of test cricket. Surely the ICC along the cricket boards of India , England and Australia must step in to protect the purest form of the game. A premium ,equal match fee for all test players might be a good starting point History and tradition must count for something. If we stand by and allow profits to be the defining criteria the legacy of Bradman , Grace and Sobers will be irrelevant," Waugh wrote on Instagram.
Shukri Conrad, the Test coach for South Africa, remains optimistic about the potential of the alternative squad, citing their commendable performances in series against West Indies A and India A. Despite this confidence from the coaching staff, Cricket South Africa has faced criticism for seemingly not placing enough importance on Test cricket.
This issue is not isolated to South Africa. The West Indies also recently named a Test squad with seven uncapped players for their series in Australia in January.
"If I was New Zealand I wouldn't even play the series. I don't know why they're even playing. Why would you when it shows a lack of respect for New Zealand cricket?" Waught told Sydney Morning Herald.
"It's pretty obvious what the problem is. The West Indies aren't sending their full-strength side [to Australia this summer]. They haven't picked a full-strength Test team for a couple of years now. If the ICC or someone doesn't step in shortly then Test cricket doesn't become Test cricket because you're not testing yourself against the best players," he added.
Steve Waugh, a highly successful former Test captain for Australia, urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the major cricketing nations, including India, Australia, and England, known as the Big 3, to take proactive steps to preserve the sanctity of Test cricket. He advocated for a standardised match fee for Tests worldwide to incentivize and maintain the format’s prestige and relevance in the rapidly evolving landscape of international cricket.
"I understand why players don't come. They're not getting paid properly. I don't understand why ICC or the top countries who are making a lot of money don't just have a regulation set fee for Test matches which is a premium, so people are incentivised to play Test Cricket," Waugh continued.
"Otherwise they just play T10 or T20. The public are the ones who are going to suffer because it's not the full side playing, so it's not Test cricket," he concluded.
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