'We as players do what we get told' - Kagiso Rabada shares opinion on SA20-NZ Test series clash

South Africa are yet to win a World Cup but have always been a force to reckon with across formats. The country has produced a plethora of legendary cricketers like Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, and Dale Steyn, to name a few. South African cricket has also been in the news for unfortunate reasons in yesteryears after Hansie Cronje's match-fixing scandal or when they lost several cricketers to the Kolpak deal. Recently, the country's cricket governing body (Cricket South Africa) has recorded a new low by signing one of the most controversial contracts in the history of the sport.

The inaugural season of SA20 was a hit as fans loved watching some of the best players in action on South African soil. After Sunrisers Eastern Cape became the first-ever champions of the six-team event, cricket lovers were waiting for the tournament's second edition. However, the cash-rich league has been hit with a new controversy as it coincides with South Africa's two-match Test series against New Zealand, which is part of the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle.

Cricket South Africa has signed a contract that almost effectively rules out the participation of some of its best players in the series against New Zealand. These players will be partaking in the franchise league while a second-string team is set to make the trip to New Zealand for what is going to be an important series for both teams. Kagiso Rabada, who is one of the best pacers in modern-day cricket, said it is unfortunate that there is a clash, but things are not in the hands of the players, and they can just do as instructed.

“It is unfortunate that there is a clash. But what can we do as players? We (players) do what we get told. At the end of the day, we are going to have to do what we get told. It’s an unfortunate situation. But the show moves on,” the right-arm bowler was quoted as saying by IOL.

The Proteas are set to host Australia in a three-match T20I series followed by a five-match ODI series ahead of the 2023 World Cup in October-November.