On Sunday, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) hosted a forum where different perspectives on Test cricket’s future and the 20-overs format as a way to bring in more people were discussed. Another proposal was that only six or seven teams should come for Test games.
This has led to declining interest and popularity of test cricket elsewhere apart from India, England and Australia which have seen the establishment of lucrative t20 leagues across the globe.
The longer version of this game, which still has much excitement at its peak level, does not interest most newly converted supporters who prefer shorter sprint-oriented formats such as 20-overs cricket.
Ravi Shastri, an ex-Indian cricketer and coach, emphasized on the fact that a competitive landscape for test cricket had to be maintained. Consequently he suggested that only better teams should participate in this form by eliminating other countries.
“You get poor quality then you lose ratings; less people in crowd; meaningless cricket… everything is wrong with sport,” Shastri told Reuters at World Cricket Connects event held by MCC in Lords’ ground.
“Twelve test match teams,” Langer said. “Get it down to six or seven.” And have promotion and relegation tiers
“Two tiers?” he asked. “But let them keep playing…” So top six keeps on playing to make sure that fans are interested in test cricket
“Otherwise now begin spreading over there like T20,” former coach of Indian national team added
Justin Langer, who used to play for Australia and later became their coach also spoke highly of T20 leagues however noted that international cricket needed protection because it affects young generations.
Joseph made his debut series against Australia well known by everyone including Langer himself
“This is what engrossed Australia last summer – this is what brought West Indies back to life”, he mentioned about Joseph’s performance there
“And we wonder why a million people turned up last week to see India celebrating their world cup win?
“That is bilateral cricket and international cricket.”
