Test cricket on trial as New Zealand face under-strength South Africa
As cricket fans savour two of the most thrilling finishes in Test match history, New Zealand are preparing to play South Africa in a series that some say will damage the status of the game’s longer format.
The West Indies’ eight-run win over Australia in Brisbane and England’s 28-run win over India at Hyderabad seemed to reinforce Test match cricket’s place at the very pinnacle of the game.
But at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from Sunday, New Zealand will face South Africa, 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 Proteas’ selections, which feature eight uncapped players, including their captain, Neil Brand. Other voices have been strident, criticising South Africa’s decision to prioritise a local T20 competition over a Test series.
Former Australia captain Steve Waugh said the Proteas selection showed South Africa “obviously don’t care” about Test cricket.
“Is this a defining moment in the death of Test cricket?” Waugh wrote on
X, formerly Twitter. “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 now 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 a Test series.
If they win the upcoming series, the achievement will be devalued by the quality of the South Africans; if they lose, they may face ridicule.
Former captain Kane Williamson, who has recovered from a hamstring strain and will play in the first Test, said New Zealand must put those considerations aside.
“For us, we just want to focus on the cricket that we want to play and the plans that we have, and that doesn’t change from opposition to opposition,” he said.
“So we are under no illusions that it will be a tough contest. They are all good players, and we want to keep bringing the focus back to our cricket.”
Bland said South Africa also needs to ignore external chatter about the series.
“Obviously, going over to New Zealand, making your debut, and captaining is quite interesting and probably quite rare,” he said. “I am delighted.”