“I don’t see that being fair,” Anrich Nortje urges cricket authorities to give more Test matches to South Africa

Nortje pointed out that they are getting just 6 Tests in a year while others are playing 15.

Anrich Nortje | GettySouth Africa pacer Anrich Nortje has expressed his disappointment over the disparity in the number of matches among teams for the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Criticizing the ICC, Nortje said they are getting just six Tests in a year while others are playing 15 is unfair.

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South Africa are leading the WTC points table with a PCT of 71.43%, followed by Australia, who are at 70%. The Proteas will get a chance to widen the gap and seal the WTC final spot when they take on England in a three-match Test series, slated to begin on August 17 at Lord’s.

“If we play six (Tests) in a year and you guys (England) play 15 in a year, I don’t see that being fair," Nortje, who is likely to play a vital role in the Test series against England, told Daily Mail.

“Our guys are not going to be as well-known as previous generations if we play 18 games in three years, or something like that," he added.

The fast bowler also asked the apex body to give his country the number of Tests befitting its current status.

“We want to be the No. 1 team in all formats. It’s unfortunate the way it’s gone but we are very keen to make a mark. It would be nice to be able to play more Test cricket, not just two-match series," he stated.

The difference in the numbers can be gauged from the fact that South Africa have played 26 Tests over the past four years. On the other hand, England, India and Australia have played 53, 41, 34 Tests in the same period.

Moreover, South Africa have only two home Tests lined up in two of the four years of the next Future Tours Programme (FTP).

“The players themselves are really excited and want to play Test cricket," said Nortje. “We’re excited to play, excited to be here and go head-to-head with one of the better teams at this stage."

(With IANS inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 15 Aug, 2022

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