South Africa Stars To Pick SA20 Over National Duty, CSA To Send Weakened Team To New Zealand For Test Series

Cricket South Africa (CSA) have decided to send a weakened team to New Zealand for next year’s Test series as the dates of the two-Test series will collide with the second edition of the SA20.

The T20 competition is scheduled to be played from January 10 to February 10, 2024. On the other hand, the two-match Test series between the Black Caps and the Proteas will be starting on February 4. Before the series begins, South Africa is also scheduled to play a warm-up game on January 29.

CSA had asked New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to consider changing the dates of the series. However, NZC had declined to negotiate the dates of the series, saying that the dates for the games are set as per the FTP. Richard Boock, NZC’s manager of public affairs, revealed that the preparations for the series are well underway.

“These Tests have been part of the FTP since it was announced two years ago,” Boock told ESPNcricinfo last month.

“We’ve collaborated and agreed dates with CSA, who have confirmed the tour, acknowledged the arrangements and have been in receipt of the schedule for several weeks. Flights have been confirmed, dates for the practice game have been agreed, and we’re looking forward to the squad’s arrival. The Proteas are a popular and formidable Test team and we view them as an important part of our home summer schedule,” he added.

Cricket South Africa gives priority to SA20:

With NZC’s stance clear on the matter, CSA has decided to send a second-string side for the Test series. The South African players have no option but to respect their SA20 franchise contracts ahead of national duty since CSA is the majority shareholder of SA20. As a result, players who are contracted with the SA20 franchises will not be available for the Test series against New Zealand.

It means they will be without most of their first team players for the series such as captain Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen, Rassie van der Dussen, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer.

According to ESPNcricinfo, more players from South Africa could become unavailable for the series after the upcoming auction on September 27. In such a scenario, CSA will have no option but to pick a weakened team for the series.

“Protea players in the SA20 will not be going to New Zealand and that is a directive from CSA,” Pholetsi Moseki, the CSA CEO, told the news outlet. “But our plans are on track. The auction will be the next milestone and Shukri [Conrad, the Test coach] will then determine player availability for the tour.”