Cricket South Africa Breaks Silence On Fielding Weakened Team For New Zealand Tests

Cricket South Africa responded on Tuesday to what it described as "concern" about the country sending a below-strength team to New Zealand.

Cricket South Africa responded on Tuesday to what it described as "concern" about the country sending a below-strength team to New Zealand, claiming it was unable to agree alternative dates for the series. "We reassure the fans that CSA has the utmost respect for the Test format as the pinnacle of the game we love," the organisation said in a statement. Only seven capped players are in a 14-man squad for the two Test matches in March – only two of whom played in the first Test against India last week – because CSA has given priority to the SA20, a T20 franchise competition. CSA BOARD STATEMENT ON SA SQUAD FOR THE NEW ZEALAND TOUR 🇿🇦🇳🇿Cricket South Africa notes the concerns about the composition of the Test squad that will be travelling to New Zealand later this monthWe reassure the fans that CSA has the utmost respect for the Test format as… pic.twitter.com/bdUmMmf0qY

The announcement of the squad on Saturday led to criticism, notably from former Australian captain Steve Waugh, who said the selection showed a lack of respect to New Zealand cricket.

"If I was New Zealand I wouldn't even play the series," he said.

CSA acknowledged that the dates for the New Zealand tour had been agreed before the SA20 schedule had been decided.