Former South Africa all-rounder Brian McMillan outlined the harsh reality of the modern era of cricket after Cricket South Africa decided to announce a second-string team for the Test tour of New Zealand drew major backlash.
The main reason behind CSA’s decision was that several first-choice players were signed up by the franchise of the SA20 T20 league, the country’s major attraction. This meant that South Africa named seven uncapped players in their squad for New Zealand Tests and will have a captain who will make his Test debut in Neil Brand.
McMillan shared this view in an interview with PTI and even used the example of keeper-batter Henrich Klaasen announcing his retirement from Test cricket to focus on white-ball formats and T20 leagues.
Before him, Quinton de Kock had retired from Tests in 2022 and quit ODI cricket as well after the recent ICC World Cup 2023. This is in favor of playing T20 leagues across the world to earn more money.
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"I hope modern players are making enough money otherwise it's very difficult to do business. It is very hard on players. One of our guys (Heinrich Klaasen) retired now and will play in the T20 league and I have got my views on how countries should run its players in essence. People make a name on essence,” McMillan told PTI.
McMillan further used Kohli as an example and said that Virat Kohli and the Indian team has been prioritizing Test cricket and doing well. He also said that Kohli is not seen skipping Tests to play in T20 leagues.
“I think it's a world feel that you have to give priority to one's country and I think India has been doing it quite well. You finding Kohli and boys playing Test cricket is great. You don't find them putting out Tests to play BBL. Test cricket will be threatened, but I suppose, it will remain the ultimate game," he opined.
Brian McMillan was a core member of the South African team in the 1990s and played 38 Tests and 78 ODIs from 1992-1998.
