Waugh slams South Africa for prioritizing domestic T20 event over NZ tests

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh said South Africa’s decision to send a shadow side to New Zealand for a test tour while their top players take part in a domestic T20 tournament shows the longest format of the game is under threat.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) named seven uncapped players, including skipper Neil Brand, for next month’s two-test tour of New Zealand, which overlaps with the second edition of the SA20 beginning on Jan. 10.

Waugh said the governing International Cricket Council (ICC) and other administrators should step in to protect test cricket.

“Obviously they don’t care,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

“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?

“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.”

The governing body has little role in scheduling bilateral cricket or domestic T20 leagues, which is done by the boards involved. Its chairman, Greg Barclay, previously told the BBC “there’s not a lot we can do” about T20 leagues dominating the calendar.

South Africa names new skipper, 7 uncapped players for New Zealand tour

CAPE TOWN: South Africa named uncapped Neil Brand as their captain for a two-match test tour of New Zealand next month where the majority of their team will be missing, competing instead in the domestic Twenty20 league. Half of the 14-man squad named on Saturday have yet to play a test but get their opportunity because the tour clashes with the SA20, the T20 league that was launched by Cricket South Africa and Indian Premier League investors last year. All but two of the players in the side that beat India in the Boxing Day test are competing in the

The proliferation of franchise cricket has put the squeeze on bilateral tours in recent years with West Indies in particular struggling to put together their strongest squad.

The CSA cancelled a tour of Australia scheduled early last year to ensure the presence of their top players in the inaugural edition of the SA T20, which is bankrolled by the Indian Premier League franchises.