Steve Waugh voices concern over weakened Test squads, seeks ICC's involvement

Australian cricket legend Steve Waugh has called for the intervention of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to address the issue of weakened Test squads, following South Africa and West Indies' recent selections of under-strength teams for their respective Test tours.

West Indies had earlier named seven debutants in their 15-man squad for a two-Test series against New Zealand, while South Africa followed suit with a similarly inexperienced squad featuring seven debutants for their tour of New Zealand.

Waugh expressed concern over the lack of respect for Test cricket and the credibility of the format, suggesting that New Zealand should consider not playing against weakened sides. He pointed out that West Indies had not fielded a full-strength Test team for several years, with key players often prioritizing T20 franchise leagues over Test cricket.

A standardized fee for Test matches

The former cricketer emphasized the need for a standardized fee for Test matches, proposed by the ICC or leading cricketing nations, to incentivize players to participate in Test cricket. He argued that without such measures, Test cricket would continue to be undermined, and fans would be deprived of witnessing full-strength teams in action.

The proliferation of T20 franchise leagues, such as the SA20, ILT20, and the Australian Big Bash, has contributed to the scheduling conflicts and player availability issues that Test cricket faces today.