After intense criticism, Cricket South Africa defend squad selection and claim they have utmost RESPECT for Test cricket 

The CSA claimed they couldn't reschedule the Test match due to the constraints of the FTP schedule.

After intense criticism, Cricket South Africa defend squad selection and claim they have utmost RESPECT for Test cricket 

South Africa Test team (Image via ESPN)

Cricket South Africa have been under fire from the cricket fraternity as they sent a 2nd-string team to New Zealand to play a 2-match Test series. Most of their Test stars are unavailable as they are playing in the SA20, CSA’s T20 League. 

Former and current Tests players have criticized the board’s decision to give more importance to their league, with Steve Waugh calling it “a defining moment in the death of Test cricket.” The board released a statement to defend their decision, claiming they respect Test Cricket. They further claimed they couldn’t reschedule the series due to the FTP and hence decided to send the 2nd-string squad. 

YouTube video
The dates for this tour were set when the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2023-2027 was finalised in 2022. The window for the SA20 had not been determined at that stage. Once it became apparent that there would be a clash, we made every effort to find another mutually suitable time-slot for this 2 Test series in consultation with New Zealand Cricket.
Cricket South Africa said in a statement

They added:

Regrettably the constraints imposed by the global cricket calendar rendered this impossible, as the games must be played before April 2025 as part of the World Test Championship.

The SA20 begins on 10th January and ends just a month later. The Test series starts on 4th of February. The CSA did try to convince the New Zealand Cricket Board to shift the series, but they didn’t budge. 

South Africa gets bowled out for only 55 runs thanks to brilliant Indian pacers 

One of the major reasons India lost the first Test was due to their poor bowling performance. In that Test, they conceded 408, but in the 2nd Test they bounced back and bowled out the hosts for only 55. 

Indian Cricket Team
Indian Cricket Team celebrates an important wicket (Image via ESPN)

Mohammed Siraj drew first blood by dismissing Aiden Markram. Then the entire batting unit collapsed, with Siraj picking up 6 out the first 7 wickets. Jasprit Bumrah and Mukesh Kumar contributed with 2 wickets each. This is SA’s lowest score since 1991. 

In case you missed!