Kagiso Rabada urges those in charge to prioritise scheduling more Tests for South Africa
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has urged those in charge to schedule more Tests for South Africa, saying his teammates will never reach their full potential if the longer format is not prioritised.
Kagiso Rabada.Rabada was speaking after the Proteas romped to an 87-run victory over the West Indies in the first Test at Centurion with the home side's premier paceman finishing with figures of 6-50 in the second innings.
The 27-year-old has an incredible record in Tests having taken 276 wickets in 59 matches at an average of less than 23 but will not have much opportunity to significantly add to that tally.
The Proteas only play 28 Tests over the next five-year cycle of the ICC's future tours programme (FTP) and have no three-match series scheduled until they host England in 2026.
"If you look at our batters and young bowlers, we would like them to mature in this format," Rabada said. "It's just really unfortunate, but whenever we do get the chance, it means we have to learn pretty quickly.
"I see Test cricket as the pinnacle of the game, and a lot of the players in the change-room, if not all, would see that."
After the second Test against the Windies that starts at the Wanderers on 8 March, the Proteas' only other assignment in the 'whites' this year will be against India on Boxing Day.
"It is a disappointing aspect, especially if you look at our team and the potential we possess. The only way we can get better is by playing as much Test cricket as possible," Rabada said.
"I would like to see a change in the future. If you look at all the other nations, they are playing a lot more Test cricket. It needs to be prioritised a lot more. I am not in charge of that, but at least I can ask."
West Indies are in a similar situation to the Proteas as they do not play enough Test cricket and would like to have more games on the big stage.
Paceman Kemar Roach, who became West Indies' fifth-leading bowler and went past Joel Garner in the Centurion Test, echoed Rabada's sentiments.
He said: "West Indies deserves some more Test cricket. We have been competing pretty well for the last two years in the World Test Championship (WTC).
"The ICC can probably look at giving some of the lower-tier teams some more Test series."
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