‘South African team aren’t sending…’ – Australia skipper Pat Cummins opens up about SA squad for two match Test series against New Zealand

Australia’s cricket captain, Pat Cummins, has shared his thoughts on the current state of Test cricket. Being optimistic about its popularity in Australia, he acknowledged challenges in other parts of the world. The recent decision by Cricket South Africa to opt for the SA20 T20 league over a Test series against New Zealand has sparked discussions about the significance of Test cricket, especially for countries outside the ‘Big’3’—India, Australia, and England.

Cummins addressed concerns about the decline in Test cricket’s importance and suggested that the issue lies more in the extensive cricket calendar than the overshadowing impact of T20 cricket. “I don’t think it’s in as dramatic a decline as sometimes it gets spoken about,” Cummins remarked, citing successful Test matches against Pakistan and the West Indies with substantial crowd support.

Highlighting the challenge posed by the abundance of cricket and heightened competition for talent, Cummins expressed hope for Test cricket’s enduring appeal. “My hopes are that it’s even stronger than it is now, in 10 years’ time or 20 years’ time,” he added.

Pat Cummins is happy with the response in Australia

In Australia, Cummins observed that the popularity of Test cricket remains robust, evident from the enthusiastic crowds in the matches against South Africa. However, he acknowledged that the scenario might differ in other countries, alluding to South Africa’s decision to send an understrength squad to New Zealand.

“I grew up absolutely loving Test Cricket,” shared Cummins, expressing his personal affinity for the longer format of the game. Recognising that Test cricket experiences phases, he expressed optimism about it being a temporary setback. Cummins wished for a broader global appreciation of Test cricket, emphasising the strength of the sport at the moment.

While acknowledging challenges, Cummins remained hopeful about the enduring significance of Test cricket. As a passionate supporter of the format, he expressed his desire for Test cricket to capture the attention of audiences worldwide, echoing sentiments of its unparalleled strength in the current cricket landscape.