I'm hoping South Africa sending a rookie Test squad to New Zealand is 'a phase’, says Pat Cummins

South Africa’s decision to send a second-string squad to New Zealand for a two-Test series has raised the eyebrows of many a former cricketer and follower of the game, deepening fears of the five-day format’s demise in the age of fast-paced cricket.

Australia captain Pat Cummins, however, believes Test cricket isn’t in a decline as dramatic as it is sometimes made out to be, and hoped South Africa’s startling decision is just “a phase”.

“My hopes are that it’s even stronger than it is now, in ten years’ time or 20 years’ time. I think in some regards leading to this Test summer, some of the question marks were against Pakistan and West Indies. We’ve had two fantastic Test matches against Pakistan, really well supported, big crowds,” Cummins said in Sydney ahead of the third Test against Pakistan on Tuesday.

“So I don’t think it’s in as dramatic a decline as sometimes it gets spoken about. But I think there is an issue just with the amount of other cricket out there, obviously competition for talent is higher than it’s ever been.

“I grew up absolutely loving Test cricket,” he said. “I think it does go through phases. I know the South African team aren’t sending their strongest side. I’m hoping it’s a phase,” added the pacer-captain.

The Proteas, who will be eyeing a 2-0 sweep in the second Test against India that begins on Wednesday in Cape Town, picked seven uncapped players in their 14-man squad for the New Zealand Tests, which will be coinciding with the second edition of SA20.

A majority of South Africa’s first-choice players are part of one of the six teams in the league. An SA20 contract gives the franchise owners the first right to a players’ participation, meaning they cannot be released for international duty when the SA20 is taking place.

Explained: Why South Africa are sending a rookie Test squad to New Zealand

Only three members of the South African squad for the India Tests — David Bedingham, Keegan Petersen and Zubayr Hamza will be flying to New Zealand for the series that gets underway on 4 February.

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh, however, wasn’t happy with the “disrespect” shown towards the New Zealand cricket team. Waugh, one of cricket’s most successful captains of all time, also slammed the International Cricket Council as well as the BCCI and other leading boards for creating a situation that led to South Africa’s perplexing decision.

“Obviously, they don’t care. It’s going to happen if the South African cricket board are any indication of the future, keeping their best players at home.

“If I was New Zealand, I wouldn’t even play the series. I don’t know why they’re even playing. Why would you when it shows a lack of respect for New Zealand cricket?” Waugh said.