The former India pacer responded bluntly to a user’s question on the similarities and differences between franchise and Test cricket.
The international circuit has undoubtedly been impacted by franchise cricket in the last ten or so years, as many players have opted to play in the lucrative tournaments rather than represent their country. Players that are contracted to the national team occasionally don’t think twice about skipping their team’s match to participate in leagues like the Big Bash League or the Indian Premier League. In response to a user’s question about the similarities and differences between franchise and Test cricket, former India bowler Venkatesh Prasad provided a direct response.
As South Africa announced their Test squad for New Zealand, which includes seven uncapped players, the user posed the query.
Since the senior players will be absent from the series due to SA20, a T20 franchise cricket event in South Africa, an increasing number of rookies have been added to the roster.
“How do you feel about SA sending teams of third graders to the NZ tests? Has testing become into a luxury?” the user enquired.
“Sets a really negative standard. It’s unfortunate that franchise cricket has now taken precedence over Test cricket. Prasad answered, “I hope this doesn’t end up being the way forward.”
The 14-man squad for the two Tests in New Zealand in February includes just two players from South Africa’s Test victory over India on Thursday.
On Saturday, Neil Brand, a left-handed opening batsman, was named captain of Cricket South Africa’s team.
The only players involved in South Africa’s innings-winning victory against India in the first Test at Centurion are batsmen Keegan Petersen and David Bedingham. No players contracted to franchises in the SA20 competition, which runs concurrently with the Test series, were eligible for selection because of a decision made by Cricket South Africa.
Test coach Shukri Conrad expressed confidence in the team’s ability to compete, even though they were traveling with a haphazard roster.
There was a possibility that opening batsman Dean Elgar would be convinced to postpone his retirement from international cricket beyond the second Test at Newlands in Cape Town, which begins on Wednesday, but that seems to have ended with the early announcement of the touring party.
Elgar scored 185 runs in South Africa’s lone innings to win the man of the match award in the first Test match against India. In light of Temba Bavuma’s injury, he will captain the squad in the second Test.
