(Cricket News) In response to criticism from both current and former players, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has stated that it is still “fully committed” to both domestic SA20 cricket and international cricket.
The country named seven uncapped players, including a new captain, for the two-Test series, and top South African cricketers will participate in the second season of the SA20, which was started by CSA and IPL investors last year.
“CSA has the utmost respect for the Test format as the pinnacle of the game we love,” the statement read. “The Board of Cricket South Africa notes the concerns about the composition of the Test squad that will be traveling to New Zealand later this month.
We reassure the fans that CSA remains fully committed to international cricket and to strengthening the SA20, a tournament that was initiated by us to help grow and sustain the game.”
“The dates for this (New Zealand) tour were set when the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2023-2027 was finalized 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 two-Test series in consultation with New Zealand Cricket,” the CSA said.
The dates for the New Zealand tour were set in accordance with the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2023–2027, which was prepared in 2022, much earlier than the SA20 was announced.
“Unfortunately, due to the World Test Championship requirements, which require the games to be played before April 2025, this was not possible due to the limitations imposed by the global cricket calendar.”
