South Africa, who are in the final of the World Test Championship, which will be played on June 11 at Lord’s, will not play a home Test match this year. Such has been the predicament of the sides when it comes to red-ball cricket outside India, England, and Australia. The countries, due to the economic health of their boards, luring offers for players from franchises across the globe, and to accommodate their own franchise leagues, have struggled to maintain the balance of playing enough red-ball and franchise cricket, which generate revenues to sustain the domestic models in their cricketing seasons. However, India, England Australia, by their boards being economically in a healthy state, have been able to maintain that balance and have also struck a happy medium of Test cricket and franchise cricket.
Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne said it is important that other nations outside the big three also produce better cricketers for the health of Test cricket. “Every time Test cricket is on, people want to watch it. India, Australia, and England are probably carrying a bit of the load of Test cricket, but we really want to see all the countries keep producing great players and being part of upholding such an amazing tradition of Test cricket,” he said, speaking on the ICC.
Australia, who are the defending champions of the WTC, are the opponents of South Africa. “It is an exciting tournament. It means every Test you play has something on it, it brings all the countries into play, and anyone can make the final,” Labuschange said on WTC. “It’s exciting to play in, you’re playing for a trophy at the end of a two-year cycle. I think it has worked great. Two years ago, when we beat India, it was awesome,” he added.
“South Africa have been a very good team in this cycle, on paper it’s a well-balanced side and they have some really nice players,” Labuschagne told ICC. “It will be a good challenge for us, and we are going to have to be on our game. Playing at Lord’s is always special with the history and what is involved with playing there. It’s going to be an awesome week and another great match,” Labuschange added.