South Africa coach criticised for weakened squad to face New Zealand for Test series

Seven of the 15 players, including the skipper, have never represented South Africa in a competitive cricket match. New Zealand’s journalist, Mark Reason, called the Proteas squad “a shadow team” made up of random players assembled quickly for the series.

“I call them ‘a’ South Africa team because they are absolutely and insignificantly an indefinite article,” Reason told the Post. “They are a shadow team,” he added.

Domestically, Cricket fans are calling the Proteas team heading to New Zealand a mess. Neil Manthorp, a popular Cricket commentator, said Shukri’s squad showed a lack of respect for the sport.

Shukri defended his squad decision by saying he has no access to top-tier players participating in the SA20 tournament. Last year, Cricket South Africa’s Pholetsi Moseki announced that players competing in SA20 would prioritise the club tournament.

South African Squad in New Zealand

The Proteas departed the country on January 19, two weeks ahead of time. The team consists of Neil Brand, a debutant in the team. Brand, who plays for the Momentum Multiply Titans, will be the team captain.

Brand will be joined by Tshepo Moreki, David Bedingham, Clyde Fortuin, Dane Paterson, Khaya Zondo, Raynard Van Tonder and Shaun von Berg. Other players participating in the Test series matches include Duanne Olivier, Mihlali Mpongwana, Dane Piedt, Keegan Peterson, Ruan de Swardt and Edward Moore.

Moore was added as a last-minute option to replace Tony de Zorzi of the Durban Super Giants. Zorzi was scheduled to join the Proteas but announced his unavailability after signing a new contract deal that will see him locked in to participate in the SA20.

Moore, together with seven more players in the squad, will be representing South Africa internationally for the very first time. While coach Shukri is convinced his makeshift team could impress in New Zealand, most people are not.

Fans Expecting a Miracle

Last December, South Africa settled for a draw with India in a similar two-match Test series faceoff. The Proteas had their full squad in India, which is why many fans are anxious to watch the team facing New Zealand.

Historically, New Zealand has never beaten South Africa in a Test series game. But history is meant to be broken. And it could be broken now that the Proteas squad will be full of inexperienced players.

Odds are favouring the Black Caps to win both matches. If you believe the same, there’s a list of bookmakers in New Zealand willing to accept your bet. Some of them will even give you a bonus as a welcome reward.

While few are backing South Africa for a win in New Zealand, history favours the Proteas. They've played New Zealand 72 times in all competitions. They came on top 42 times and lost 25 games.

That said, New Zealand has a better record in the ODI World Cup. In the nine times the two teams faced off, the Black Caps won six games. In fact, New Zealand has thrashed the Proteas five consecutive times in the ICC World Cup.

A Must-Win for New Zealand

Although the Black Caps are expected to beat South Africa in their upcoming Test series fixtures, they’re not excited. Everyone expects the team to win. But here’s the problem.

Despite having a poor record against the Proteas in the Test series, victory over a shadow team won’t earn them any respect. Instead, fans will say the Black Caps won only because South Africa sent a second-string side.

The worst outcome for New Zealand will be a loss. The team will get mocked throughout the cricket world for losing to a squad of minnows. A draw will be nothing to celebrate either.

South Africa had attempted to postpone the Test series matches due to the unavailability of top players, but the move was unsuccessful. New Zealand couldn’t reschedule the competition because all Test series matches at this stage need to be played by April. And the Black Caps are yet to face Australia.

Top Players to Represent New Zealand

South Africa might have sent a team of inexperienced players to represent the country in New Zealand. But the Black Caps won’t be doing the same. New Zealand is hoping to reach the finals of the World Test Championship for the second time in a row.

To do this, the team needs to take all its matches series. Black Caps coach Gary Stead will field star batters Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson in the Test series in his squad.

Williamson has captained the Black Caps before and has been involved in multiple crucial games for his country. He suffered a hamstring injury the last time New Zealand played Pakistan. But he’s now fit to face South Africa.

Ravindra is a rising star honoured by the ICC with an award last year. For that reason, he's earned a spot in the Black Caps' squad. Ravindra will replace Henry Nicholls, an experienced middle-order player.

Like South Africa, New Zealand will introduce a couple of debutants to the squad. Will O’Rourke will debut for his country in NZ’s second Test against South Africa on February 13.

ICC Called On to Fix Cricket Scheduling Issues

The main reason South Africa can’t send its top players to New Zealand has everything to do with conflicting tournaments. South Africa introduced the SA20 competition last year but organised it to take place at the same time as the Test Series.

The International Cricket Court has the power to bring harmony to cricket by creating a clear schedule for major cricket competitions. It could also create rules that force countries to prioritise national tournaments over club competitions.

So far, the ICC has done nothing of the sort. Critiques argue the World Test Championship has brought a lot of scheduling chaos to the sport despite it being introduced to benefit the game. They’re hoping the ICC could do something to streamline the competition’s schedule.