Steve Waugh, the former captain of Australia, has taken issue at the International Cricket Council for their apparent lack of concern for Test cricket. This comes after South Africa announced a depleted red-ball team for their tour of New Zealand, choosing to focus on their T20 league above the longest format of the game.
Steve Waugh, the former captain of Australia, expressed frustration on Monday after Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced the selection of a second-string Test team for the two-match series against New Zealand that takes place next month. The series is quite crucial as ICC World Test Championship (WTC 2021-23) points are at stake.
The squad includes seven uncapped players, including a new skipper. Waugh called the action “disrespectful” and pleaded with the BCCI, the International Cricket Council, and other elite cricket bodies to intervene and save Test cricket. It won’t be wrong to say that slowly Test cricket is fading away which is not a good sign for a prestigious format which tests the character of a player.
It’s going to happen if the South African cricket board are any indication of the future- Steve Waugh
Prominent South African players, the majority of whom are currently playing in the two-match series against India at home, have contracts to participate in the second season of SA20, the country’s franchise-based T20 league that was introduced by CSA and Indian Premier League investors last year.
This season coincides with the tour dates to New Zealand. The board named a depleted squad since players under contract with SA20 franchises are not eligible to be selected for the Tests according to CSA rules. Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald,
“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?,” said Steve Waugh.
Is this a defining moment in the death of Test cricket?- Steve Waugh
The Australian icon, Steve Waugh initially expressed his worry about the situation on Instagram, saying he worries that the legacy of some of the greatest players to have ever played the game—including Don Bradman and WG Grace-will soon be forgotten.
“Is this a defining moment in the death of Test cricket? Surely the ICC along (with) the cricket boards of India, England and Australia must step in to protect the purest form of the game. History and tradition must count for something. If we stand by and allow profits to be the defining criteria, the legacy of (Sir Don) Bradman, (WG) Grace and (Sir Garfield) Sobers will be irrelevant,” said Steve Waugh.
Steve Waugh believes that in order to encourage aspiring players to take advantage of the incentive, the ICC or perhaps top boards worldwide had to establish a standard fee for Test 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. I understand why players don’t come. They’re not getting paid properly,” he stated.
South Africa has a history of giving precedence to its domestic T20 league above international cricket. To have their best players play in that league, they forfeited an ODI series in Australia last year. In all these chaos, we are missing out on one of the greatest rivalry in the form of Australia vs South Africa, the two boards have had conflicts in them due to which they aren’t playing any Tests till 2027 which is quite shocking.
“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. The public are the ones who are going to suffers because it’s not the full side playing, so it’s not Test cricket,” he added.
Even Pakistan and West Indies didn’t send a full side to Australia- Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh expressed concern that the pattern would continue because not just South Africa, but also Pakistan and the West Indies did not send their full squads to Australia for the Test series. Ever since the inception of ICC World Test Championship, we have witnessed thrillers but still boards aren’t able to convince players to play for their nation rather than playing franchise cricket.
“It’s pretty obvious what the problem is. The West Indies aren’t sending their full-strength side (to Australia 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),” Waugh elaborated.
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