Test cricket on trial as NZ face under-strength Proteas
Steve McMorran |
As cricket fans savour two of the most thrilling finishes in Test history, New Zealand are preparing to play South Africa in a series some say will damage the status of the longer format.
West Indies’ eight-run win over Australia in Brisbane, coupled with England’s 28-run victory over India in Hyderabad, seemed to reinforce Test cricket’s place at the pinnacle of the game.
But at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from Sunday, New Zealand will face a South Africa team entirely stripped of their leading players, who have been kept at home for a domestic Twenty20 series.
New Zealand have mostly been diplomatic about the selection of the Proteas team, which features eight uncapped players, including captain Neil Brand.
But other voices have been raised in strident criticism of South Africa’s decision.
Former Australia captain Steve Waugh said the Proteas selection showed South Africa “obviously doesn’t care” about Test cricket.
“Is this a defining moment in the death of test cricket?” Waugh wrote on social media.
“History and tradition must count for something. If we stand by and allow profits to be the defining criteria, the legacy of Bradman, Grace and Sobers will be irrelevant.”
In a subsequent interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, Waugh called for concerted action to save Tests.
“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 said.
“I understand why players don’t come. They’re not getting paid properly.
“I don’t understand why the ICC or the top countries who are making a lot of money don’t just have a regulation premium set fee for Test matches so people are incentivised to play Test cricket.”
New Zealand find themselves in a no-win situation in the two-Test series.
The Black Caps haven’t lost a Test series at home since March 2017, but have never beaten South Africa in the format.
Win the upcoming series and the achievement will be devalued by the quality of the South Africa team; lose and face ridicule.
Former captain Kane Williamson, who has recovered from a hamstring strain and will play in the first Test, said New Zealand has to put those considerations aside.
“We just want to focus on the cricket that we want to play and the plans that we have,” he said.
“That doesn’t change from opposition to opposition. We are under no illusions that it is going to be a tough contest, they are all very good players.”
New Zealand are currently third in the Test Championship table behind Australia and South Africa. They could move up to second with a series win.
Bland said South Africa also need to ignore the external chatter.
“Going over to New Zealand, making your debut and captaining is quite interesting and probably quite rare,” he said.
“This team has 96 games per player as an average. That’s a lot of first-class cricket in the group.”
AP
