In an indication of the occasions, Cricket South Africa finally put the profitable SA20 competitors forward of the Test sequence towards New Zealand, with the squad chosen notably lacking nearly all of the Proteas’ big-name gamers.
Recently, Western Province batter Edward Moore was added to the Proteas Test squad for the two-match sequence. The 30-year-old has to this point amassed 414 runs at a median of 51.75 on this season’s Division 1 CSA 4-Day Series. The opening batter twice recorded a whole lot towards AET Tuskers and the Titans respectively.
Overall, he has performed 117 first-class matches and has a run tally of almost 8 000, together with 17 a whole lot and a career-best of 228.
The squad – to be captained by Neil Brand – will depart for New Zealand from OR Tambo International Airport on Friday, 19 January.
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Proteas Test squad towards New Zealand
Neil Brand (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), David Bedingham (Western Province), Ruan de Swardt (North West Dragons), Clyde Fortuin (Gbets Rocks), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Edward Moore (Western Province), Tshepo Moreki (DP World Lions), Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province), Duanne Olivier (DP World Lions), Dane Paterson (Western Province), Keegan Petersen (Gbets Rocks), Dane Piedt (ITEC Knights), Raynard van Tonder (North West Dragons), Shaun von Berg (Gbets Rocks) and Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).
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Amid loads of criticism that the choice obtained, Australian nice Steve Waugh voiced his disgust on the squad, saying if he had been New Zealand he would refuse to play the sequence.
With the suggestion that CSA and the Proteas are devaluing Test cricket, the governing physique launched a press release earlier this month.
“The Board of Cricket South Africa (CSA) notes the considerations in regards to the composition of the Test squad that can be travelling to New Zealand later this month. We reassure the followers that CSA has the utmost respect for the Test format as the head of the sport we love.
“The dates for this tour had been set when the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for 2023-2027 was finalised in 2022. The window for the SA20 had not been decided at that stage. Once it grew to become obvious that there can be a conflict, we made each effort to search out one other mutually appropriate time-slot for this 2 Test sequence in session with New Zealand Cricket.
“Regrettably the constraints imposed by the worldwide cricket calendar rendered this inconceivable, because the video games have to be performed earlier than April 2025 as a part of the World Test Championship.
“We commend Head Coach, Shukri Conrad and his workers for getting ready the chosen gamers for this tour, and we’re assured that they may characterize the Proteas badge with honour. We want all of them the easiest. It is a chance to display the depth of expertise that now we have in South Africa.
“Our schedule for the remainder of the FTP has been managed to ensure that there will not be any further clashes between our bilateral commitments and the SA20. 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.”
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TOUR ITINERARY
Warm-up match
29-31 January – 11:00 (NZ time)
New Zealand XI v South Africa – Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University
Test sequence
4-8 February – 11:00 (NZ time)
New Zealand v South Africa – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
13-17 February – 11:00 (NZ time)
New Zealand v South Africa – Seddon Park, Hamilton
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