If I was New Zealand I wouldn’t even play: Steve Waugh slams South Africa for naming second string side for Test series

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh said that South Africa naming 7 uncapped players in their 14-man squad to face New Zealand in a two-Test series in February was ‘disrespectful’ to the Kiwis and urged the ICC to look into the matter instead of ignoring it.

“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. 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?,” Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“It’s pretty obvious what the problem is. The West Indies aren’t sending their full-strength side (to Austalia this summer). They haven’t picked a full-strength Test team for a couple of years now. Someone like Nicholas Pooran is really a Test batsman who doesn’t play Test cricket. Jason Holder, probably their best player, is not playing now. Even Pakistan didn’t send a full side [to Australia]. 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,” he added.

🟢 SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT 🟡

CSA has today announced a 14-player squad for the Proteas two-match Test tour of New Zealand next month🇿🇦🇳🇿#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/pLBxCrNvJF

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) December 30, 2023

This was a fallout after the Proteas named an uncapped Neil Brand as their captain for the two-match test tour of New Zealand in February where the majority of their team will be missing, competing instead in the domestic Twenty20 league.

Half of the 14-man squad named 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 SA20 league but David Bedingham and Keegan Petersen will be going to New Zealand.

South Africa will play a three-day warm-up match against a New Zealand XI in Christchurch before the first test at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from Feb 4-8 and the second test at Seddon Park in Hamilton from Feb. 13-17.

(With Agency inputs)

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