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New Zealand Cricket will roll out the red carpet for South Africa for a two-test series next month, the NZC said on Thursday, as debate rages around the quality of the second-string Proteas squad picked for the matches.
Test cricket remains the pinnacle of the game, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said after it was criticised for selecting a second-string squad featuring seven debutants for the country's two fixtures in New Zealand next month.
Australia batter Usman Khawaja has admitted that he would have stopped playing Test cricket by now, had he been asked to play for inferior wages by the board of any other cricketing nation. Ever since South Africa announced their squad for the upcoming Test series against New Zealand, several former cricketers have raised concerns over the future of the 'purest format of the game'. For context, Proteas have named a second string squad for the two match Test series against the Kiwis. Uncapped batter Neil Brand is set to lead out the South African team, consisting of just three players from the ongoing Test series against India.
Australia captain Pat Cummins acknowledged that he occasionally worries about the future of the five-day game but he believes the sport isn't as badly declining as people think. Over the past ten years, the red-ball format has suffered a decline in interest at stadiums and viewership due to the T20s' increasing global appeal. Yet, Perth and Melbourne's packed crowds have witnessed Australia's current series against Pakistan. Sydney will host the third Test from January 3 to 7. Australia are presently ranked third in the ICC World Test Championship rankings and holds an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
SYDNEY : David Warner admits he never quite fit the mould of a test player but this week will end his 12-year career on his own terms and in the same manner that other modern greats of the Australian game have made their exits.
When we hear the word sledging in cricket, it reminds us of the Australian team during the late 90s and early 2000s. Australia, under the leadership of Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting, was not only famous for their skills on the field, but also their aggressive sledging of opponents. The side from Down Under won several games with their skills on the field, but there were times when the Australian team of the past had to take a different approach to gain an advantage over their opponents. Ponting's Australia had mastered the art of sledging, winning two World Cup titles under that period.
SYDNEY : Former Australia captain Steve Waugh said South Africa's decision to send a shadow side to New Zealand for a test tour while their top players take part in a domestic T20 tournament shows the longest format of the game is under threat.