"I took my name out of the (SA20) draft, so I can play in New Zealand," Bedingham said at Newlands, ahead of South Africa's first training session of 2024. "Shuks (Shukri Conrad - Test 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, unlike South Africa's other first-choice players, does not have a CSA central contract which is a crucial point of difference between him and for example, Aiden Markram. All nationally contracted players who have SA20 deals are obliged to play in the tournament ahead of any other fixtures, including internationals because CSA is a majority stakeholder of the SA20. Other players, such as domestic players, could decide whether they wanted to enter the draft or not. Most of them, in the hope of a big payday, did. But Bedingham, a purist who sensed an opportunity, did not.
"I've always loved Test cricket and I have always loved watching Test cricket. I always see it as a bonus if those things (leagues) come up but my priority has always been Test cricket," he 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."