SA Vs NZ: Steve Waugh Bashes Cricket South Africa For Disrespecting Test Cricket

In a recent development, the Cricket Board of South Africa became subject to a lot of backlash from fans and cricket pundits all over the world after the Proteas Board announced their squad for an upcoming 2-match Test series against New Zealand in February. Former Australian Captain Steve Waugh found it disrespectful as the Cricket board prioritized their domestic league ahead of Test Cricket.

South Africa named only 7 capped players in their overall inexperienced and youthful squad which is going to be captained by Neil Brand. The South African Cricket Board did not include any senior player in the squad as all of the players will be busy taking part in the 2nd edition of the SA T20 League starting from January 10th.

The first match of the new season will see reigning champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape led by Aiden Markram take on Faf Du Plessis’ Joburg Super Kings.

According to Cricket South Africa’s rules, every player contracted with an SA T20 franchise is not eligible for selection for National team duties. It created a massive stir on social media with fans and pundits criticizing the board’s brain fade decision.

In contrast, the Proteas are currently leading the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle’s points table after defeating India in the 1st of a 2-match Test series by an innings and 32 runs. From Steve Waugh to Venkatesh Prasad, many former cricketers have come out and asked if this is the beginning of the end of Test cricket.

Out of South Africa’s 14-man squad, David Bedingham and Keegan Petersen are the only 2 cricketers from the 1st Test against India to have retained their place in the squad. Head Coach Shukri Conrad congratulated all the selected players for the New Zealand tour and claimed that all the youngsters have the ability to play well and come out on top in challenging conditions.

“Is This A Defining Moment In The Death Of Test Cricket?”, Asks An Angry Steve Waugh

Former Australian Captain and World Cup winner Steve Waugh who scored 10,927 runs in Test cricket while speaking to an Australian outlet, claimed that the CSA doesn’t really care about Test cricket and asked if this is what modern cricket will look like.

Steve Waugh criticized South Africa’s board for ignoring history and tradition by focusing on profits. He also bashed them saying that if he was in charge of New Zealand, he wouldn’t even allow the Test series to happen.

Steve Waugh also highlighted the fact that teams like Pakistan and West Indies are also not taking Test cricket seriously by not sending their best players. The 58-year-old also asked the ICC to intervene on this matter and also claimed that payment issues could be among the reasons why players are constantly snubbing Test cricket.

“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. If I was New Zealand I wouldn’t even play the series. I don’t know why they’re even playing.” – Waugh said.

“Why would you when it shows a lack of respect for New Zealand 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. “Otherwise they just play T10 or T20.” – Waugh concluded.