Steve Waugh's 'unfair' criticism smacked down amid historic low for Test cricket

South Africa cricket coach Shukri Conrad has smacked down criticism from the likes of Steve Waugh and Michael Clarke, after his side went down to India in the shortest Test match in history. India won by seven wickets on day two of the match, earning the quickest victory ever in terms of the number of balls bowled.

On a Newlands pitch offering plenty of support for the fast bowlers, the match was all over in just 642 balls (107 overs). It broke the previous record for shortest completed Test - Australia's 656-ball victory over South Africa in 1932.

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Many around the cricket world were quick to make fun of South Africa, calling it karma for their decision to prioritise their domestic T20 competition instead of an upcoming Test series in New Zealand. The Proteas are sending a severely-depleted Test squad to New Zealand, with the majority of their stars staying at home to play in the SA20 - a new T20 league funded by IPL investors.

Waugh and Clarke have both savaged the decision in recent days, with the former labelling it "disrespectful" to the Kiwis. But Conrad highlighted the reality of the situation on Thursday, hitting back at the "unfair" criticism.

"I love how everyone outside the country have become experts on South African cricket," Conrad told reporters. "Our hand has been forced. Everyone understands the SA20 has to happen, it is the lifeblood of local cricket. If it doesn't happen, we won't have Test cricket anyway."

David Bedingham is the only player in the Test squad who played in the loss to India in Cape Town on Thursday that levelled the two-match series at 1-1. "It is still South Africa going to New Zealand," Conrad said. "We sing the same national anthem and wear the same national team blazer. Anything we come back with, a draw or if we can sneak a win, that will be massive for us."

Steve Waugh and Michael Clarke blast South Africa move

Speaking earlier this week, Waugh said the decision to prioritise T20 was worrying for the future of Test cricket. "Obviously they don’t care," he told The Sydney Morning Herald. "If I was New Zealand I wouldn’t even play the series. I don’t know why they’re even playing. Why would you when it shows a lack of respect for New Zealand cricket?

"It's pretty obvious what the problem is. The West Indies aren’t sending their full-strength side (to Australia this summer). They haven’t picked a full-strength Test team for a couple of years now. Someone like Nicholas Pooran is really a Test batsman who doesn’t play Test cricket. Jason Holder, probably their best player, is not playing now. Even Pakistan didn’t send a full side. If the ICC or someone doesn’t step in shortly then Test cricket doesn’t become Test cricket because you’re not testing yourself against the best players."

Clarke, a fellow former Test captain, echoed that sentiment. "It's sad to see, to be honest," he said on ESPN. "I understand South Africa's reasoning, but Test cricket is the pinnacle in my eyes. No domestic competition, in the world, should come in front of it.

"Playing for your country is the most important thing. It is sad to see this is the case. Imagine if Australia did this, imagine if India did this...fans want to see the best players play, but there is no doubt if the best players are not going to be picked for Test cricket, it's an uphill battle."

with AAP

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