Kagiso Rabada slams CSA for prioritizing SA20 over New Zealand Tests

Ace pacer Kagiso Rabada broke silence on Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) decision to prioritize SA20 over the two-match Test series against New Zealand.

The cricketing body named seven uncapped players for the two-match Test series against New Zealand, which was played in February this year.

South Africa announced uncapped batter Neil Brand as the captain for the New Zealand tour which was played at the same time as SA20 league, featuring the frontline Proteas players.

Their decision to field an inexperienced squad against former Test champions backfired as New Zealand registered their first-ever series victory over South Africa.

The Black Caps had not beaten the Proteas in 17 previous Test series dating back to 1931, having lost 13 and drawn four.

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Meanwhile, right-arm pacer Kagiso Rabada did not mince his words in lashing out at the CSA and termed their decision to prioritize SA20 as “shooting yourself in the foot”.

“It was very, very unacceptable and remains unacceptable to date. It was obviously a planning issue. It is unacceptable, that is all I would say about that,” he told PTI.

“That is a planning issue and it has got to do with what is happening at the higher level; what happened with Cricket South Africa. It was basically a double book, that was what it was.

“End of the day, we didn’t really get a choice to even go there [New Zealand] because of the importance of the SA20. It is like shooting yourself in the foot.”

Rabada then went on to highlight the importance of Test cricket and emphasised it as the pinnacle of the sport.

“Cricket comes from Test cricket and Test from my perspective is the best format. I would imagine all great players who play all formats would say Test cricket is their favourite format. It is the same for me as well.”

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