There has been lot of discussion across the globe pertaining to the saving of test cricket from becoming obsolete. Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the lawmakers of cricket, have been brainstorming on this issue for a while and come up with several solutions including ‘Day-Night’ matches.
The lack of interest for test matches has been being prevailing since 2004, after the introduction of T20 matches. The huge success of the Indian Premier League has fastened the demise of Test cricket. Andrew Flintoff’s retirement from test cricket has brought the spotlight again on IPL that provides a lucrative income stream for the players. It is rather apparent that the opulence provided by the IPL is resulting in the premature exit of several great players. Let’s see some solutions by which we can keep the test matches alive.
Starting the matches on Wednesday
This will increase the revenue of the match, since the last couple of days will fall on Saturday and Sunday. People will be quite happy to spend their weekends to support their home team.
The 20-20 Intervals
Currently there are 3 sessions, which are Lunch, Tea and Post-Tea. The mandatory overs bowled per day can be reduced from 90 overs to 80 overs. This would help to create 4 sessions of 20 overs each, which will avoid the ‘bad light’ issue, which happens very often these days. This will also help the players to charge up as they would be getting sufficient breaks. By reducing 10 overs everyday, the pace of the game will also improve.
Mandatory sporting wickets
An ICC committee should review each turf before the matches to ensure that they are made without any bias to the home team. It will make the match more competitive as the ‘home advantage’ factor is eliminated.
Test World Cup
The concept of a World Cup for test matches is quite a complicated topic, however there are few ways by which this concept can be applied properly. In the preliminary stage, the 8 test teams will face each other in a home and away match. There will be 40 match days in this round (8 matches * 5 days) followed by 20(4*5) in the semi finals and 5 days in the final. Altogether there will be 65 match days and this can be stretched to the whole season like the football leagues are conducted.
Above all, the cricketing fraternity that includes players, boards, officials and most importantly, the spectators should love and favour this version of the game. If the test matches are overlooked, the coming generation would find it hard to understand the feats by the great legends like Don Bradman and Garfield Sobers.
Tags: ICC, MCC, Test cricket, Test World Cup
I don’t believe the rise of 20-20 will ruin test match cricket, but the rise of IPL like tournaments are dangerous for test match cricket which will make more people retire early from their test match carrer.
Hi,
Very nice post..
Of course, test matches are the heart of cricket. Test match cricket is the cricket in it’s purest form. It should be prevented from becoming obsolete. And your suggestions were also nice and can be made applied with a little effort. But the last one, “Test World Cup”, seems to be little tough, though it can be made possible after a trial, to see whether cricket lovers can accept such a long term tournament.
Anyway, good ideas.. Keep on posting more..
Regards
In that case we have no other option apart from a draggy draw
Blaming the degradation of test cricket to 20-20 is base less. It is the attitude of the teams which needs to be changed not the rules of the game.
The way in which ICC fixes match schedules is absolutely deplorable. Be it 20-20, one day or test matches. Such back to back tournaments can take its toll on any player. We can’t blame it on any form of the game.
Test cricket needs class, patience, attitude. While 20-20 just needs rush of blood. Both are entertainment in its own means. Both of these games have its own takers.
I totally agree. Cricket will end up being all muscle power if the T20s are allowed to dominate. Cricket as a game will lose its charm. We cannot afford it!
Any move to salvage the “Grand Father” of the great game – cricket will be welcomed by the cricket lovers. what needs to be seen is how the Bosses of the game will implement the great ideas. If it a’int bringing in money .. it will have a tough luck.. whatever noble purpose it has…. “SHOW ME THE MONEY” takes priority.
What about deciding winners based on the scores, even the complete wickets are not fallen at the end of fifth day?