The Cricket South Africa (CSA) board has been copping a lot of criticism from all corners of the world after naming a second- or third-string Test squad for the tour of New Zealand.
Last week, the CSA announced a 14-man inexperienced squad to tour New Zealand for two Test matches. Because most of the regular Test players will be featuring in the SA20 competition, which clashes with the Test series in New Zealand, South Africa have had to pick a very inexperienced squad. Out of 14 players, 7 are uncapped, including the captain, Neil Brand. Brand has captained in 18 of his 51 first-class matches, but is yet to get his Test cap for South Africa.
This has been a big talking point among Test followers and general cricket fans. The reason for such a situation arising has been that CSA has gotten into a contract with SA20 franchises to allow the prominent South African names to play in the competition over any other matches, be it Test cricket. The FTP was already slotted, and CSA even tried to reschedule this Test series, but it didn’t work.
For the unversed, the SA20 competition is a major source of income and profits for the CSA, and their being in contract with the franchises and broadcaster means that for the second season in a row, the SA20 will force the South African team to suffer; last season, South Africa canceled an ODI series with Australia.
South Africa got bowled out for 55 runs vs India in Cape Town
More flak and trolling of the South African team and CSA has been piled up after they were bowled out for only 55 runs in the first session in Cape Town against India. A disaster batting show coming only days after the inexperienced squad announced didn’t go well with netizens.
Fox Cricket, an Australian new website, marched ahead with the trolling, running the headline, “And this was the Test they actually cared about 😳
Karma strikes as days after disrespecting cricket, South Africa is bowled out before lunch for a 135-year worst”
And this was the Test they actually cared about 😳
Karma strikes as days after disrespecting cricket, South Africa is bowled out before lunch for a 135-year worst >> https://t.co/WRU2aJihX8 pic.twitter.com/zYnjeVrh9W
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 3, 2024
South Africa Squad: Neil Brand (captain), David Bedingham, Ruan de Swardt, Clyde Fortuin, Zubayr Hamza, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Duanne Olivier, Dane Paterson, Keegan Petersen, Dane Piedt, Raynard van Tonder, Shaun von Berg and Khaya Zondo