Neil Brand

Only two of the players who were in South Africa's Test win over India on Thursday are in a 14-man squad for two Tests in New Zealand in February. Cricket South Africa on Saturday named a squad which includes seven uncapped players, including a new captain in left-handed opening batsman Neil Brand.

South Africa's head coach, Shukri Conrad, has highlighted the lack of Test experience within the Proteas side as they prepare for a two-match series against New Zealand. The squad is weakened, with several first-choice players committed to domestic Twenty20 competitions. Eight players have not made their Test debut, including captain Neil Brand. Duanne Olivier, with 15 Test appearances, is the most experienced and is keen to rejuvenate a Test career hindered by injuries.

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh has expressed concern over the future of Test cricket, expressing dismay at Cricket South Africa's decision to send a shadow side to New Zealand for a Test tour. CSA has named seven uncapped players, including skipper Neil Brand, for the two-Test tour of New Zealand, which coincides with the second edition of the SA20 T20 tournament starting on January 10. Waugh urged the ICC and other administrators to intervene and safeguard the longest format of the game.

Depleted South Africa are not going to roll over for hosts New Zealand and are aiming for a series win when they travel for two fixtures in the World Test Championship next month, uncapped tour captain Neil Brand said on Friday.

Reflecting on the contentious affair, Kagiso Rabada voiced his hope that such regrettable incidents would not recur, emphasising the need for greater player involvement in scheduling decisions to avoid similar unsavory episodes in the future. The series, which formed part of the World Test Championship, saw the inclusion of seven uncapped players, while key players were preoccupied with the SA20 league back home. Neil Brand, thrust into captaincy, made his Test debut during the series opener in Mount Maunganui, where the hosts secured a predictable 2-0 victory.

Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson scored Test centuries, guiding New Zealand to a commanding position against South Africa. The Kiwis posted 258 for two with an unbroken stand of 219. South Africa bowled after winning the toss, and Tshepo Moreki dismissed Devon Conway in the second over. However, Ravindra and Williamson displayed resilience against accurate seam-bowling by South Africa's inexperienced attack.

New Zealand dismissed South Africa for 247 on Wednesday to win the first Test by 281 runs in Mount Maunganui. The touring South African side fell well short of their target of 529, leaving them 1-0 down heading into the second and final Test in Hamilton starting next Tuesday.

South Africa's David Bedingham scored a maiden century, leaving New Zealand with a daunting target of 267 to win the second and final Test in Hamilton. South Africa's Keegan Petersen and captain Neil Brand contributed to the team's second innings. New Zealand found themselves at 40/1 in their second innings, still needing 227 runs to secure victory.

Cricket South Africa's decision to include seven uncapped players, including the inexperienced Neil Brand, for the New Zealand tour to prioritise top stars for the lucrative SA20 has garnered criticism. Notably, all SA20 franchises are owned by IPL team owners, and this move to prioritise franchise cricket over Test cricket has drawn widespread disapproval. India's centrally contracted players aren't allowed to play any other T20 leagues and the BCCI doesn't slot international cricket in that phase.

South Africa's second-string Test squad is ready to face New Zealand in the first Test, with most of their regular players participating in the SA20 competition. Fast bowler Dane Paterson believes the low profile of their players might be advantageous. The 15-man squad, including eight uncapped players, is set to face a full-strength New Zealand side.

Kane Williamson scored his second century in the first Test match against South Africa, extending their lead to 528 runs. His 109 and other batsmen's contributions helped New Zealand reach 179/4 in their second innings by stumps. The Black Caps, fielding a depleted side, were dismissed for 162 in response to New Zealand's first-innings total of 511.

Test cricket remains the pinnacle of the game, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said after it was criticised for selecting a second-string squad featuring seven debutants for the country's two fixtures in New Zealand next month.

Star batters Kane Williamson and Rachin Ravindra were named on Friday in the New Zealand squad for the two-match home Test series, starting next week, against an inexperienced South Africa side.

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South Africa rallies in the second Test led by all-rounders Ruan de Swardt and Shaun von Berg, finishing at 220-6. They need to win the Test series against New Zealand at Seddon Park to avoid being the first team in their nation to lose. De Swardt and von Berg collaborated for 70 runs off 27 overs.

Legendary batter AB de Villiers said he was left unhappy over the recently-concluded Test series between India and South Africa not having a third match and felt that the rise in T20 leagues is to be blamed for it. South Africa won the opening Test in Centurion by an innings and 32 runs inside three days before India emerged victorious in the second Test at Cape Town by seven wickets, which ended in four and a half sessions, making it the shortest match played in the format.

Rachin Ravindra struck a majestic double century before South Africa's top order collapsed on Monday, leaving New Zealand in command of the first Test in Mount Maunganui.

The SA20 has a window of just four weeks and South African Test cricket can not only co-exist but also flourish for the rest of the year, former skipper Graeme Smith said on Sunday.

Nandre Burger stood out by taking 11 wickets in two Tests, which included a four-wicket haul, five wickets in three T20Is, and one wicket in a solitary T20I, showcasing his effectiveness across formats. He also mentioned that he learned a lot during the course of the series, emphasising the valuable experience gained from playing against a strong team like India.