Former Australia skipper Steve Waugh
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Former Australia skipper Steve Waugh has slammed the International Cricket Council and prime cricket boards, together with the BCCI, for not caring about Test cricket after South Africa named a depleted red-ball squad for the tour of New Zealand, prioritising its T20 league over the longest format.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) have named a second-string Test squad which has seven uncapped gamers, together with a brand new captain, for subsequent month’s two-Test sequence in opposition to New Zealand.
The prime South African cricketers are contracted to play within the second season of the SA20, the T20 league launched by CSA and Indian Premier League traders, which clashes with the tour.
According to a CSA ruling, no participant contracted to SA20 franchises is eligible for choice for the Tests.
“Obviously, they don’t care. It’s going to happen if the South African cricket board are any indication of the future, keeping their best players at home,” Waugh instructed the Sydney Morning Hearld.
“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?” Initially, Waugh had taken to Instagram to boost his concern.
“Is this a defining moment in the death of Test cricket? Surely the ICC along (with) the cricket boards of India, England and Australia must step in to protect the purest form of the game.
“History and custom should rely for one thing. If we stand by and permit income to be the defining standards, the legacy of (Sir Don) Bradman, (WG) Grace and (Sir Garfield) Sobers will likely be irrelevant,” he wrote.
It’s not the first time South Africa has prioritised its domestic T20 league over international cricket. Last year, they forfeited an ODI series in Australia to have their best players feature in that league.
“If the ICC or somebody does not step in shortly then Test cricket does not turn into Test cricket since you’re not testing your self in opposition to the very best gamers.
“I understand why players don’t come. They’re not getting paid properly.
“I do not perceive why ICC or the highest international locations, who’re making some huge cash, do not simply have a regulation set charge for Test matches which is a premium, so individuals are incentivised to play Test cricket.
“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,” Waugh mentioned.
With neither Pakistan nor the West Indies sending their full-strength groups to Australia for the Test sequence, Waugh fears the pattern will proceed.
“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.
“Someone like Nicholas Pooran is known as a Test batsman who does not play Test cricket. Jason Holder, in all probability their greatest participant, is not enjoying now. Even Pakistan did not ship a full aspect (to Australia),” he added.
