NEW DELHI:
South Africa
is compelled to send a second-string squad to
New Zealand
for two Tests next month, and coach
Shukri Conrad
on Thursday defended the controversial decision, stating that criticism of the move is unfounded and unfair.
Former Australia captain
Steve Waugh
suggested that New Zealand should consider refusing to play the series after South Africa named seven uncapped players in a 14-man squad for the matches starting on Feb.
4.
Several other commentators also criticised the move, expressing concerns about the quality and competitiveness of the series due to the inclusion of numerous inexperienced players.
The fixtures clash with Cricket South Africa's domestic Twenty20 competition, which is considered crucial for the future financial health of an organisation that has been grappling with financial challenges for several years. The scheduling conflict adds another layer of complexity to the decision to send a second-string squad to New Zealand.
The country’s leading players will therefore stay at home and skip the overlapping tour.
"I love how everyone outside the country have become experts on South African cricket," Conrad told reporters. "Our hand has been forced, everyone understands the SA20 has to happen, it is the lifeblood of local cricket. If it doesn’t happen, we won’t have Test cricket anyway."
Cricket South Africa said they had sought alternative dates for the tour to no avail.
Conrad backed the players that have been selected – with only batter David Bedingham starting the seven-wicket loss to India in Cape Town that levelled their two-match series at 1-1.
"It is still South Africa going to New Zealand. We sing the same national anthem and wear the same national team blazer. Anything we come back with, a draw or if we can sneak a win, that will be massive for us," the coach said.
He confirmed the team will leave for Christchurch on Jan. 19, with New Zealand Cricket telling Reuters on Thursday they were looking forward to hosting the tour.
Conrad will enjoy playing on more sporting wickets than the one at Newlands, which resulted in the shortest ever Test in which there has been a positive result.
"It is a sad state of affairs when you need more luck than skill to survive in a Test match," Conrad said of the loss. "Take nothing away from India, they were superb, but you are not going to win many Tests scoring 55 (in the first innings).
"This has come as a shock to the system, but I will not lay the blame on our playing XI."
(With Reuters inputs)
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