Cricket South Africa responded on Tuesday to what it described as “concern” concerning the nation sending a below-strength group to New Zealand, claiming it was unable to agree different dates for the sequence. “We reassure the fans that CSA has the utmost respect for the Test format as the pinnacle of the game we love,” the organisation mentioned in a press release. Only seven capped gamers are in a 14-man squad for the 2 Test matches in March – solely two of whom performed within the first Test towards India final week – as a result of CSA has given precedence to the SA20, a T20 franchise competitors.

The announcement of the squad on Saturday led to criticism, notably from former Australian captain Steve Waugh, who mentioned the choice confirmed a scarcity of respect to New Zealand cricket.

“If I was New Zealand I wouldn’t even play the series,” he mentioned.

CSA BOARD STATEMENT ON SA SQUAD FOR THE NEW ZEALAND TOUR 🇿🇦🇳🇿

Cricket South Africa notes the considerations concerning the composition of the Test squad that can be travelling to New Zealand later this month

We reassure the followers that CSA has the utmost respect for the Test format as… pic.twitter.com/bdUmMmf0qY

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) January 2, 2024

CSA acknowledged that the dates for the New Zealand tour had been agreed earlier than the SA20 schedule had been determined.

“Once it became apparent that there would be a clash, we made every effort to find another mutually suitable time slot for the two-Test series in consultation with New Zealand Cricket.

“Regrettably the constraints imposed by the worldwide cricket calendar rendered this unimaginable.”

According to the statement, there will be no further clashes during the current World Test Championship cycle between South Africa’s bilateral commitments and the SA20, “a match that was initiated by us to assist develop and maintain the sport”.

The statement commended Test coach Shukri Conrad for preparing a group of players that CSA believed would “signify the Proteas badge with honour”.

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