“If I was New Zealand I would never…”, Steve Waugh targets South Africa
NZ vs SA Test: South Africa has announced its 14-man squad to face New Zealand in the two-Test series in February. There are 7 out of 14 uncapped players in this squad. This kind of action taken by South Africa against a strong team like New Zealand is very ‘insulting’ for the Kiwi team. Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has also given his reaction on this and has used many strong words against South Africa.
Steve Waugh from the Sydney Morning Herald said :-
“If the South Africa Cricket Board is giving any indication of the future by keeping its best players at home then I don’t care. If I were New Zealand I wouldn’t even play the series. I don’t know why they are playing. This is New Zealand Shows lack of respect for cricket.”
Most of the senior players will play SA20 league :-
Also, let us tell you that the Proteas appointed uncapped player Neil Brand as their captain for the two-match Test tour of New Zealand in February and after this it was clear that most of the senior players would be missing from the team which will be playing in the domestic T20 league i.e. SA20 League. Will play in.
Half of the 14-man squad named have not even played a Test yet. But they get their chance as the tour clashes with SA20. SA20 is a T20 league that was launched in the year 2023 by investors from South Africa and IPL.
Only two of the players who played against India will go to New Zealand :-
Of the South African players playing in the Boxing Day Test against India, only two – Wid Bedingham and Keegan Pietersen – will go to New Zealand and the rest will play in the SA20 league.
Also, if we talk about South Africa’s matches in New Zealand; first of all South Africa will play a three-day practice match against New Zealand in Christchurch. After this, the first Test will be played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui from 4-8 February. The second Test will be played at Seddon Park in Hamilton from 13-17 February.