Since the idea of changing Test cricket to a four-day game instead of five, many have opposed by now. The players like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Ben Stokes, Jonty Rhodes among others have all suggested Test cricket should be a five-day affair. While the ICC Cricket Committee headed by Anil Kumble ponder over matters, Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts shared they aren’t sure which side they should be.
“Not at this point. We are going to ask ourselves the right questions and the hard questions, develop an informed perspective. Interestingly, there’s been like 130-day three-day Tests, 120-odd four day Tests and there’s been 100 Timeless Tests. So Tests haven’t always been five days. It’s also interesting to see how many matches are finishing inside four days. The data is being considered. Personally, I love five-day Tests. But my role isn’t to make decisions on what I love,” Kevin Roberts told Times of India.
“I don’t think it’s a binary discussion of four or five days. There needs to be a balance of head and heart. If it was purely based on the numbers, it doesn’t pay respect to the game’s history. The concept does raise interesting possibilities like starting Tests on a Thursday, to give fans the maximum opportunity to watch on Saturday and Sunday,” he added.
Australia’s Test captain Tim Paine said that four-day Tests is a concept that needs some consideration whereas Coach Justin Langer didn’t agree with the idea, along with Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
Read here: Umesh Yadav Tries to Increase Game Time With His County Stint
“We’re so pleased to have had 200,000 people in total at the Boxing Day Test. And then over 100,000 people in the New Year’s Test in Sydney. They are two examples of Tests thriving. We’ve got great respect for the history of Test cricket. It’s the most premium and most special format. We will take responsibility for playing a role in ensuring it stays relevant,” Roberts shared.
However, he also talked about The Hundred by the England cricket board.
“It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out. No doubt it’ll be quite similar to T20s but some of the nuances might bring about interesting tactics and approaches to the game,” he told.
“Broadcasters are a really important stakeholder, the commercial side. Fans are a critical stakeholder too. The players are the stars of the show. We always look at those three areas, not just one of those perspectives. The fourth (factor) is the development of the community level. That is a significant focus for us,” he added.
