Renowned former West Indies cricketer Brian Lara recently emphasized the crucial need for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to safeguard the significance of Test cricket amidst the rapid expansion of franchise leagues worldwide. The proliferation of T20 cricket and the emergence of franchise leagues across the globe have sparked concerns about the future viability of Test cricket, often considered the purest form of the sport.

In response, the ICC introduced the World Test Championship (WTC) to inject more relevance into the traditional red-ball format. However, despite these efforts, challenges have arisen, notably highlighted by South Africa’s decision to field a second-string team against New Zealand earlier this year.

This move, part of the WTC 2023-2025 cycle, occurred as the main players were engaged in South Africa’s premier T20 tournament—SA20 2024. Expressing his views on this issue, Brian Lara, renowned for his legendary batting exploits including the record for the highest individual score in Tests (400*), stressed the importance of the ICC closely monitoring the evolution of franchise leagues to ensure Test cricket’s enduring relevance.

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“I think ICC (should) put their head together and find a way where franchise cricket takes over, but in a much more structured way and not in terms of the free fall that is going on at the moment,” Brian Lara advocated in a statement to The Times of India.

He further added, “I hope the astute thinkers could find a way to make sure that it (Test) remains relevant. I like the Test Championship and I think it is important to make sure that the game remains relevant.”

In response to the ongoing challenges, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced a Test Cricket Incentive Scheme in March 2024. This initiative offers additional rewards to players on top of their existing match fees, aiming to maintain parity with other formats and leagues. While Lara welcomed this move, he emphasized that revitalizing spectator interest and attendance at Test matches should be a primary focus.

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“Incentivizing, or what BCCI is doing because they have the money, is one aspect of it. Of course, remuneration to the players is great to keep them interested in the game. But when you’re walking to a Test match and there’s nobody at that Test match, then it’s not encouraging. Try to get them (crowd) back into the ground,” Brian Lara remarked, underlining the importance of engaging fans to preserve Test cricket’s legacy.