David Bedingham, who made his Test debut in the ongoing series against India in Centurion, pulled out of the SA20 draft to make himself available for the upcoming Test tour of New Zealand.

After the completion of the two-Test series against India at home, South Africa are scheduled to fly to New Zealand for another two-Test series, their second of the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle.

The New Zealand tour, however, will clash with the second edition of the SA20, South Africa’s domestic franchise T20 league. Centrally contracted players with SA20 deals are bound to play in the league ahead of any other games, including internationals. That is why South Africa have named a highly inexperienced squad for the New Zealand Tests, including as many as seven uncapped players.

Bedingham is one of the 14 members picked for the New Zealand tour since he does not have a SA20 contract. In fact, he he voluntarily pulled his name out of the SA20 draft to make sure he is available for the New Zealand Test series.

Before the start of the Newlands Test match against India, Bedingham told reporters, “I took my name out of the [SA20] draft, so I can play in New Zealand. Shuks [Shukri Conrad, South Africa coach] just called and said there is a possibility and as soon as I heard there is a chance, that no-one from SA20 can play, I thought my chances of playing are probably quite high.

“So I didn’t even have a second thought. I told him I will take my name straight off the draft so I can hopefully play.”

Bedingham made his Test debut with more than 80 first-class games and nearly 6,000 first-class runs under his belt in Centurion and scored a fifty in his first innings. His priorities have always been clear in terms of which format of cricket he prefers.

“I’ve always loved Test cricket and I have always loved watching Test cricket. I always see it as a bonus if those things come up but my priority has always been Test cricket,” Bedingham said. “If those leagues come calling and I start doing well in those T20 competitions, that’s perfect but the main aim is always to do well in Test cricket or first-class cricket.”

South Africa will be led by Neil Brand in the New Zealand tour, who is yet to play at the international level. Bedingham said that they will consider this as an opportunity to make their country proud.

“It will be tough because we are playing against their strongest side and a lot of our best players are missing but I think every single player will take it as a great opportunity and hopefully we can make our country proud.”

You can find the South Africa squad for the New Zealand tour here.

Subscribe to the Wisden Cricket YouTube channel for post-match analysis, player interviews, and much more.