In February 2024, South Africa will play a two-match Test series against New Zealand. It is important to note that starting on February 4, 2024, two World Test Championship matches will be held.
In contrast, it was recently reported that South Africa would send their B-team for the two-match Test series when the schedule for the upcoming SA20 season was made public. Pholetsi Moseki, the chief executive of Cricket South Africa, has confirmed that none of the players under contract with the various SA20 franchises will be included in the Proteas’ squad for the New Zealand Tests.
Notably, the start of the 2019 SA20 season is set for January 10, with the summit game falling on February 10. A squad that isn’t fully prepared may play in February because the tournament’s dates coincide with the Test matches.
Cricket South Africa has the following instruction: Moseki
Speaking of the same, Moseki stood up to discuss how many players wouldn’t be able to fly to New Zealand due to the SA20’s tough schedule. The dates for the Test matches had previously been subject to negotiations by Cricket South Africa, but New Zealand Cricket remained steadfast.
Some SA20 players won’t be able to join the team for at least the second Test, according to Pholetsi Moseki, who was quoted by Yahoo News as stating, “It is a directive of Cricket South Africa that, due to the time zones, players need at least a week to acclimate in New Zealand.”
The two Test games also derive from South Africa’s decision to cut back on Test matches in order to make room for SA20, which will play a significant role in their season.
I believe in our pipeline. It demonstrates the mythology around Test cricket, in which the players are once again put through hardship. “A significant portion of the players still genuinely desire to play Test cricket,” said Moseki.