South Africa Should Eye 2023 World Cup Spot, Avoid Clash With IPL: Paul Adams

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Former South Africa left-arm wrist spinner Paul Adams has called upon Cricket South Africa (CSA) to ensure that a full-strength national team is featured in all ODIs leading up to the team's qualification for the 2023 World Cup. He also asked CSA to avoid any clash of international series with Indian Premier League (IPL) in future.

South Africa missed some of their top stars for the third and final ODI against Pakistan earlier this month since they had to reach India to play the IPL.

"In an ODI series, every game is important because it is about how you can qualify for the next world cup (in India). So, there is no dead rubber in any ODI series. You want to have the best team available all the time. The 2023 World Cup is way down the line but [to eye] qualification is very important," Adams told IANS.

Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje (both Delhi Capitals), Quinton de Kock (Mumbai Indians), David Miller (Rajasthan Royals), and Lungi Ngidi (Chennai Super Kings) traveled to India leaving South African team management pick many second-string players for the final ODI against Pakistan.

Both Pakistan and South Africa were level 1-1 ahead of that final match.

Not surprisingly, Pakistan won the final game and moved to second place in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League table. Proteas are 11th and just ahead of Sri Lanka and the Netherlands.

The top seven teams in the table and host India will automatically qualify for the World Cup while the bottom five will play a qualifying tournament.

Since each ODI match has 10 points on offer, there is no dead rubber in any series.

"This one was tricky for South Africa because IPL was going to happen and Pakistan series came late in the programme. But in losing few senior players to a domestic tournament, it is worth questioning -- which one is more important? End of the day, money does talk to a lot of them but I think it will make South African cricket a bit more wiser," added the 44-year-old Adams, who represented South Africa in 45 Test matches and 24 ODIs between 1995 and 2004.

"I think there was an opportunity to also look at the next level of players and also for the coach how he manages those resources because at any given day... you have an answer on who are the next players, back-up players," Adams said further.

He, however, said that CSA will need to be careful going forward.

"How do we manage the players? IPL is a tough tournament where players get good experience but you also have to manage your calendar," added the former Chinaman bowler.