AT times, the congested cricket calendar can leave people asking what is the point of a series such as the coming three-match T20 series between South Africa and the West Indies.
This is because the T20 World Cup just concluded a few months ago and the next one is in 2026, almost two years from now.
However, for a meticulous planner such as Proteas limited-overs coach Rob Walter, the only coach to lead a SA team to a World Cup final, the coming series is an important part of the journey to the next World Cup final.
Walter aims to use the series which starts at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba tomorrow (9pm SA time) to widen the talent pool, while simultaneously resting household names such as Kagiso Rabada and Heinrich Klaasen.
In my opinion, its 18 months away from the 2026 World Cup in India. Weve got nine series from now until then, which leaves us with 32 to 36 fixtures before that World Cup turns around, Walter revealed to the media yesterday.