Even Pakistan didn’t send full side to Australia: Steve Waugh

Former Australian captain Steve Waugh criticized the International Cricket Council (ICC) and major cricket boards, including the BCCI, for neglecting Test cricket. This comes as South Africa prioritizes its T20 league over Test cricket, resulting in a weakened squad for the New Zealand tour. 

Waugh expressed concern about the lack of financial incentives for players in Test cricket.

"If the ICC or someone doesn't step in shortly then Test cricket doesn't become Test cricket because you're not testing yourself against the best players. I understand why players don't come. They're not getting paid properly,” Waugh said.

He warned that without intervention, Test cricket might lose its essence as players opt for shorter formats. 

"I don't understand why ICC or the top countries, who are making a lot of money, don't just have a regulation set fee for Test matches which is a premium, so people are incentivised to play Test cricket.

"Otherwise, they just play T10 or T20. The public are the ones who are going to suffers because it's not the full side playing, so it's not Test cricket," Waugh added.

Waugh also highlighted the trend of teams like Pakistan and the West Indies not sending full-strength squads for Test series, indicating a potential ongoing issue.

"It's pretty obvious what the problem is. The West Indies aren't sending their full-strength side (to Australia this summer). They haven't picked a full-strength Test team for a couple of years now.

"Someone like Nicholas Pooran is really a Test batsman who doesn't play Test cricket. Jason Holder, probably their best player, is not playing now. Even Pakistan didn't send a full side (to Australia)," he concluded.