Follow UsWith the second season of SA20 said to clash with South Africa's tour of New Zealand, the Proteas are set to send a weakened or s second-string side for the two-match Test series, which will also be part of the ICC World Test Championship. As a result, South Africa may have to go into the tour without skipper Temba Bavuma, opening batter Aiden Markram, and star bowler Kagiso Rabada, along with Heinrich Klaasen, Rassie van der Dussen, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje and Keshav Maharaj.
Former South Africa Test captain Dean Elgar is not pleased with Cricket South Africa (CSA) prioritising the T20 league over Test cricket, which he believes many in the team want to play consistently.
“It’s tough to take. It shows what the narrative is when it comes to Test cricket, and again it’s the players who suffer,” Elgar had told City Press last month.
“A high percentage of the players still really want to play Test cricket, and it’s just extremely sad and clarifies a lot of things when it comes to how Test cricket is viewed by the authorities.
“We can’t butter our bread on both sides here. It’s lekker to have the franchise T20 competition, but what’s the bigger picture?
Elgar believes sending a 'C' side for the Test series in February next year could weaken the strong bond between the two cricketing nations.
“How would New Zealand Cricket, with whom we probably have the strongest relationship of all countries, view us sending a ‘C’ side over there? That could cause a breakdown in the relationship," the former skipper believes.
CSA had reportedly asked for the series to be rescheduled, but the New Zealand board denied the request. The second edition of SA20 is scheduled to begin on January 10, 2024, and the final is scheduled to take place on February 10.