Former Proteas coach Mark Boucher says the schedule clash between this year’s SA20 tournament and South Africa’s Test series in New Zealand is unacceptable.

Due to the clash, Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad was forced to pick a 14-man Proteas squad featuring seven new caps, including captain Neil Brand.

With no SA20 players available for selection, the Proteas squad has just 50 Test caps between them.

“I’ll be honest with you. I am extremely disappointed [with the situation],” Boucher told SportsBoom.com.

“It’s got nothing to do with the players. You can’t blame the players who have been selected or the players who are not going.

“I think the scheduling needs to be really looked at by CSA, I don’t think it’s acceptable.”

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh accused CSA of not caring about Test cricket, and said New Zealand shouldn’t bother playing the Test series due to the lack of respect shown towards them.

“If I was New Zealand Cricket, I’d be quite disappointed,” Boucher said. “I understand them not wanting to pull out because the World Test Championship points are at stake. But I do think that we in South Africa need to sit down, have a hard look at ourselves at the scheduling and find a way to make it right.”

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While acknowledging the financial benefits of the SA20 to South African cricket, Boucher stressed the need for a balance that doesn’t compromise Test cricket.

“The SA20 is good for the public watching. It is very well supported, but we can’t have that in place of a Test series against a very, very strong New Zealand team away from home,” said Boucher, who is head coach of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

“So as a former player, and I know I’m not alone, there’re probably a lot of guys who would speak about it as passionately as me.”

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Boucher also questioned the sustainability of three formats at international level, saying the 50-over format could “have to give way at some stage”.

He added: “Because of the success of the 2023 World Cup, I don’t think it’s going to happen now, but definitely in the future.”