There has been a lot of chatter recently about the state of Test cricket due to the lackluster and inexperienced SA squad selection for their forthcoming New Zealand Test tour. There are only seven players in the squad who have won international Test caps. This is beecause the usual heavy hitters in the squad will be occupied with the SA20. These heavy hitters will not be allowed to participate in the forthcoming series.
Australia great Steve Waugh has heavily scrutinized on the South African Cricket Board (CSA) for announcing such a weakened squad. He has called on the ICC to step in and intervene on the whole situation. CSA replied by stating that it still values Test cricket and is fully committed to the format. Test coach Shukri Conrad has claimed the T20 league is the lifeblood of cricket in South Africa and that the country's hands are tied. SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith has stated that while the country is prioritising the league, Test cricket can thrive for the rest of the year.
In my view, I would agree with the criticism. Leaving out key players so that they can play in a league is an embarrasment. I would consider this a big slap in the face if I was from New Zealand. CSA should look at other leagues and how their governing bodies look over it. The IPL, Hundred and BBL all priortise national duty over participation in the competition. The board in England designate a small window to allow their national players to play in The Hundred while the Australian board will only allow players to play in the BBL if they are not part of the group of players selected to play in a particular series. The IPL seems to be the only league to not coincide with any international duty.
If this trend continues, the number of Tests will slowly diminish to one or two Test series' and thus not guaranteeing an ouright winner. Although the ICC introduced the World Test Championship to re-ignite interest in Test cricket, there are still players declining central contracts for the riches of the various leagues around the world.
The obvious solution is simple. The ICC should put a limit on the number of No Objection Certificates (NOC's) that each country can issue to their players. If something is not done, cricket as we know it will die out and be dominated and conquered by T20 leagues & the growing popularity of T10 cricket.