Kagiso Rabada says the schedule clash that resulted in a third-string Proteas Test squad being sent to New Zealand earlier this season was “unacceptable”.

Rabada was among the contracted Proteas players who were required to play in the SA20 franchise tournament in January and February, while a depleted Test squad that featured seven new caps suffered a 2-0 series loss to the Black Caps.

“It was very, very unacceptable and remains unacceptable to date,” Rabada told the Press Trust of India. “It was obviously a planning issue. It is unacceptable, that is all I would say about that.”

Rabada said the players who were selected for the New Zealand tour didn’t deserve the criticism that came their way.

“It is not fair to go at the players. It is not fair to say that players are being picked and they got free Test caps. I don’t think it is fair to put that criticism on the players. They simply got asked to go there, and at the end of the day they are not going to say no.

“That is a planning issue and it has got to do with what is happening at the higher level; what happened with Cricket South Africa. It was basically a double book, that was what it was.

“End of the day, we didn’t really get a choice to even go there [New Zealand] because of the importance of the SA20. It is like shooting yourself in the foot.”

Rabada, who is currently playing for the Punjab Kings in the IPL, said he still regarded Test cricket as the pinnacle of the game.

“Cricket comes from Test cricket and Test from my perspective is the best format. I would imagine all great players who play all formats would say Test cricket is their favourite format. It is the same for me as well.”

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images