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4-day or 5-day Test cricket?

4-day or 5-day Test cricket?

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Saj

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Which do you think is best for Test cricket, playing matches across 4 days or 5 days?
 
5 Day Test cricket. Beautiful. But I'm fine with these games such as England vs Ireland being 4 day Tests
 
4 days will speed up the pace of test cricket and could lead to some exciting cricket. going forward with the test championship ICC should look to incorporate bonus points as well like they do in the english counties system to encourage results.
 
Might be 2 day cricket in this ireland and England match ;)
 
Some pretty classic test matches have gone to the 5th day in recent times. So I personally think 5 days is the right balance, while in some conditions most matches will finish in 4 days but format should be such that results are encouraged in all the conditions which 5 day test cricket provide in my opinion.
 
silentkiller187 said:
4 days will speed up the pace of test cricket and could lead to some exciting cricket. going forward with the test championship ICC should look to incorporate bonus points as well like they do in the english counties system to encourage results.
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Might encourage negative cricket from teams under pressure in the match as well.

Many teams will start thinking for a draw at the end of day 3 if they are somewhat out of the game in 4 day test cricket which they otherwise would have thought that its not possible to survive for complete 2 days in a 5 day test match so lets play on merit or give it a go.
 
5 day adds excitement and greater planning 4 day will be a hodge podge and will favour batters from where will you get a 5th day dustbowl
 
4 day Test but still not all overs in the day being completed. A bit of a joke.
 
Test cricket should never be four days. Five day test cricket provides more entertainment overall and also theoretically limits the amount of draws.
 
Pretty disappointing thread tbh, might as well kill tests if the 5 day format is an issue.
 
4 days is the way forward. Pitches should also be supportive and should have a lot of turn on day 4.
 
I voted for 4 days, but with a caveat.

Like with points scoring in the English First Class structure, I would limit each team’s First Innigsbto a maximum of 100 overs.

That pretty much guarantees a four day finish.

I’d also add that the World Test Championship will encourage home teams to prepare “result pitches”, either greentops or turners, which should permit four day finishes.
 
I voted for 4 days, but with a caveat.

Like with points scoring in the English First Class structure, I would limit each team’s First Innigsbto a maximum of 100 overs.

That pretty much guarantees a four day finish.

I’d also add that the World Test Championship will encourage home teams to prepare “result pitches”, either greentops or turners, which should permit four day finishes.
 
How can anyone have an issue with four days. It allows smaller boards to save tonnes of money in hosting Tests which are already exceedingly expensive and as the Ireland England game shows can produce fantastic drama. Realistically many boards nowadays cant afford to pay millions hosting Tests only for it to end after 3-4 days.

So long as 4 day Tests have results oriented pitches that enable games to end in that timeframe should be no issues. There were four day Tests in the 70's, timeless Tests in the early 20th century etc etc so the traditonalists can pipe down also.

Tests have a place in this world but they do need to adapt in some ways. Start the match thirty minutes or an hour earlier to get extra overs in and you dont even lose that many overs from a five day Test.
 
4-day Test can theoretically work but pitch can't be flat in that case. No point in making a Test 4-day long if pitch doesn't help bowlers.
 
Test matches started as a 3 and then 4 day game. Then we had timeless tests. We've also had 6 day tests. And many 5 day tests with a rest day in the middle.

That's why the argument that 'test cricket shouldn't be tampered with because well doh it's test cricket' doesn't hold much weight.

Test cricket has always changed through the years and will do again.

However, it should be the same everywhere. We currently have a situation where we have 4 day tests, 5 day tests, and day-night tests all running together.
 
Mark Taylor: Time has come to shorten Test matches to four days

Cricket took a major step forward in keeping its traditional format relevant with the introduction of day-night Tests. The next move should be a reduction in length from five days to four. It is the right length for Test matches in this era.

As much as I am a traditionalist, it's time world cricket authorities gave serious thought to four-day Tests. Thursday to Sunday is the perfect timeframe to stage red- and pink-ball games. Using this series as an example, this would have allowed three days off between games and the day-night Test to finish on a Sunday instead of a school day when kids are less likely to be watching at home or at the ground.

With the faster scoring rates in modern cricket, scoring 300 in a day is far more common than 30 years ago so you do not need as much time for a result.

When the International Cricket Council decided in 2017 to trial four-day Tests, they implemented 98-over days. In other words, four-day games would be 58 overs shorter - the equivalent of about two sessions - than the traditional Test. I believe a minimum of 100 overs a day, or a 400-over game, would make for the ideal length.

The standard day would be increased from six hours to six and a half hours, which is how long sides are playing for today, given the slow over-rates.

Teams and administrators would need to make changes to quicken up the play. Whether it be the seemingly endless flow of drinks, running equipment out to batsmen or the time taken with the decision review system – there is far too much time wasted.

The DRS process needs changing as it is taking far too long for decisions to be reached. Teams have seemingly forgotten what it was brought in to the game for – to eradicate the howler instead of being used for speculative 50-50s. I have always maintained that players should play the game and umpires should officiate it. A fresh approach along this line could assist the pace of play.

To the current series, Australia have an imposing record under lights with five wins from as many games. I have no doubt the fact that they were the first to embrace the day-night concept has given them a big advantage.

Pakistan came away from the Gabba with two glaring issues. And, as strange as it sounds, their batting is not one.

From 0-75 in the first innings, Pakistan should have posted a much bigger total than 240. Had they been able to make 350, to go with 335 in the second innings, they would have made close to 700 runs which should be competitive in any Test.

For me the areas they should be most concerned with are their bowling, which too readily leaked runs, and their field placements.

Captain Azhar Ali needs to stop being safe with his fields because cautious cricket will not beat Australia in Australia. Of course, by no means does that mean he should be reckless.

I've always thought in Australia you are much better off with a point instead of a deep point. That position became fashionable after 2005 when Michael Vaughan pushed his point back to the rope to restrict Australia to ones instead of boundaries.

It certainly worked in that series but in Australia often the wide ball is hit in the air through point, due to the extra bounce in our pitches. The point fielder has more chance of taking a catch, and the player on the rope is powerless to stop the boundary if the ball is hit 10 metres either side.

I was surprised by the lack of control from Pakistan's bowlers. Though they were not spraying them, their inability to group enough balls in the same area meant they produced far too many poor deliveries which were duly punished.

The faster pace available in Australia means the bad balls are punished heavily whereas on the slower and lower tracks in the UAE those deliveries don't always prove as costly.

While day-night Tests generally favour the quicks, leg-spinner Yasir Shah is a man who I think can be more deceptive with the pink ball, which has a seam that can be harder to detect.

I would encourage Pakistan to give him more attacking fields. With over 200 Test wickets, he's certainly good enough to create a few tremors in the Australian dressing room.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricke...est-matches-to-four-days-20191128-p53ezr.html
 
5 days. Tubby Taylor talking nonsense. England Vs New Zealand went right upto the fifteenth session for the result yo be determined.
 
4 days makes sense, the pace at which the game is moving these days means there is no need for 5 days anymore, even the games that go into the 5th day are stale for the first 2/3 days and only come to life at the end. Start the games on a Friday end on a Monday, will give more of a chance of getting healthrier crowds on all the days.
 
I have said earlier in this thread as well that few of the greatest test matches wouldnt have happened if there wasnt a 5th day. Not all conditions around the world are same that will be good for four day tests further increasing overs per day due to that will be too much monotony and spectators will get tired of watching that if previously 90 overs werent enough to do that to many. While players will also become more fatigued with prolonged sessions.

Pacers should be asked this question as they put their body on the line in tests more than anybody else.

And what exactly is the point? How will even reducing a day will effect schedule? Only 3-5 days would be saved in a tour which isnt something big enough to loose out on some classic matches.

Matches which are finishing early, good enough as they are already finishing in 4 days and players can resr and ones which cant should go to day 5th.
 
5 days is test cricket , I love how things change on the last day! I am all for change but this is one thing that should stay the same
 
I wouldn't mind 4 day matches as long as the day is extended 1 more hour, as well as strictness with regards to over rates. If they can guarantee at least 100 overs a day, I think it is worth a try, as it would really make scheduling easier.
 
Maybe WTC matches be 5 days. Non-WTC match be 4 days. This would allow larger nations to schedule Zim, Ire, Afg, as warm-up tests possibly.
 
I am amazed that no one has actually addressed the crux of the matter; the number overs.

A typical Test day is about 90 overs.

We barely get 450 overs across 5 days.

If 4 days, we are looking at 360 overs.

So unless the difference is made up, I see no reason to go for 4 day tests.
 
Technics 1210 said:
I am amazed that no one has actually addressed the crux of the matter; the number overs.

A typical Test day is about 90 overs.

We barely get 450 overs across 5 days.

If 4 days, we are looking at 360 overs.

So unless the difference is made up, I see no reason to go for 4 day tests.
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I'm pretty sure if they implement the 4 day tests they will enforce 105 overs a day rather than 90, so the overall loss will be 30 overs.
 
ICC Likely To Face Opposition From Players For Seriously Mulling 4-day Test Matches

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering mandatory four-day Test matches as part of the ICC World Test Championship from 2023. A formal decision regarding the same is likely to be announced in 2020. According to Federation of International Cricketers Association (FICA) head Tony Irish, four-day Tests would provide solutions to many of cricket’s growing problems and will make the international schedule more ‘coherent’ for all teams.

ICC to consider mandatory four-day Test matches for World Test Championship

The decision comes on the aftermath of ICC’s demand for an increase in the window for playing international cricket. With BCCI’s Indian Premier League (IPL) covering up a substantial share of bilateral calendar space, the move to reduce a day from Test cricket is to free up as many scheduled cricketing days as possible. It is believed that four-day Tests would also allow more Test series to be contested with 3-5 matches per series. The move would benefit host boards and broadcasters a sizeable share of revenue without having to budget for Day 5 of a Test.

However, the four-day Test matches move by ICC is likely to face opposition from players worldwide. Quite recently, Australian Test captain Tim Paine gave his opinion on the matter by taking the Ashes 2019 into account. He said many matches of the 2019’s Ashes went into the fifth day and they delivered results accordingly. Paine emphasized that traditional five-day cricket is harder mentally and physically and it is what it was designed to do. He hopes that 5-day Tests remains the only format.

https://www.republicworld.com/sport...yer-seriously-mulling-4-day-test-matches.html
 
Donal Cozzie said:
How can anyone have an issue with four days. It allows smaller boards to save tonnes of money in hosting Tests which are already exceedingly expensive and as the Ireland England game shows can produce fantastic drama. Realistically many boards nowadays cant afford to pay millions hosting Tests only for it to end after 3-4 days.

So long as 4 day Tests have results oriented pitches that enable games to end in that timeframe should be no issues. There were four day Tests in the 70's, timeless Tests in the early 20th century etc etc so the traditonalists can pipe down also.

Tests have a place in this world but they do need to adapt in some ways. Start the match thirty minutes or an hour earlier to get extra overs in and you dont even lose that many overs from a five day Test.
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Well, boards should be allowed to choose between 4 day 105 over tests vs traditional format.

That would be fair. Not forcing every team to play only 4 day tests.
 
I have changed my mind. If 5 day test means teams like Ireland can't afford to play tests then tests should be "choose your own adventure style".

Less financially stable boards should be able to reduce tests to 4 or even less days. As long as both teams agree on it.

I just hope those who have means to play longer do play for 5 days. And ICC doesn't make it illegal.
 
If test cricket has to survive outside Eng and Aus, 4 day test is the way to go. Even tests in India have horrible attendance. 4day will make it much faster and easier to follow.
 
It should remain 5 day- Don't ruin the only format that still produces great matches on a regular basis.
 
Abdullah719 said:
With BCCI’s Indian Premier League (IPL) covering up a substantial share of bilateral calendar space, the move to reduce a day from Test cricket is to free up as many scheduled cricketing days as possible. It is believed that four-day Tests would also allow more Test series to be contested with 3-5 matches per series. The move would benefit host boards and broadcasters a sizeable share of revenue without having to budget for Day 5 of a Test.
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Why was IPL given a separate window to start with when no other league was given any such privilege? Yes it might pay certain players more than other leagues but that should not be a priority of a sporting body to provide the players and IPL to enjoy a separate window.

So now as per ICC this is one of the reasons that is haunting 5-day test cricket. As I have said multiple times before as well; ICC is one of the most political (As far as it can be with 10 test playing nations) and unprofessional sporting bodies around. Yes its good to maximize the revenue but not at the cost of the sport itself and what exactly they have achieved with the revenue as cricket is till very limited around the world.
 
4 day tests will have great scheduling advantages. You could have a 4 day game that goes from Thursday to Sunday, have 3 days rest and then have another Thursday-Sunday game. This means you will consistently be able to have games that run from Friday-Sunday, the days where most people come. This will be sustainable for long series too. Having 4 day tests will also cut the expenses faced by boards.

There are 2 issues though. One is rain, the other is overs. If even one day is rained out in a 4 day match, it is very tough to get a result. I think they should have a reserve 5th day, which is only used when a certain amount of overs have been lost, if too much time has been lost and captains/umpires agree that there still won't be a result, don't use that day. For overs, the day will have to be increased by one hour. 105 overs should be the goal for each day. For this to happen, they need to enforce strict over-rate punishments, fining players won't cut it. I think they need to have maybe 3 or 4 penalty runs added to the opposing teams total for every over a team is short. Still continue to fine and ban captains, but penalty runs should be added on top of that.

Purists don't like the idea of 4 day tests but I think it's something players and fans need to embrace for the sustainability of test cricket.
 
People also have to remember, hardly any tests that aren't rain affected go into the last session of the 5th day, in fact lots of tests don't even get to the 5th day at all. It's not worth having a 5th day that will hardly be used, but boards have to schedule and sell TV right like it will be used.
 
The best matches are the 5 day ones like the recent Ashes series or the Ind- Australia series, 4 day matches indicate pretty much lopsided affair. On the other hand, it doesn’t make any sense for a tier 2 team to play a 5-day game against a top ranked side when mostly the matches don’t even go beyond the 3rd day. So maybe there should be series-by-series pre-determination whether to go for 4 day match or 5 day one. Also i would rather have a match starting on a Saturday rather than Thursday to make sure the weekend crowd is maximised.
 
Any statistics on what has been the average length of a test match the last two years and how it varies by geography ? I’m guessing it should be around 4 day mark so the proposal makes sense. The beauty of 5 day test is going in on final day with all results being possible. But that doesn’t happen often. Making tests four day would need fundamental changes in pitch preparation , team selection , strategy and on field tactics. It’s not going to be as simple as playing T10 or 100.

I personally vote for five days. Leave test cricket alone, it’s been fantastic the last couple of years with boring draws being a distant memory. I am not even in favor of having player names at the back of their jersey.
 
If the argument is allowing weaker sides to compete , then that’s not the right way to look at it. These teams should aim to compete at the highest level and bring the game to fifth day rather than changing the whole set up. The thrill of lasting five days against a strong team would surely be a motivation to improve further.
 
aloo paratha said:
4 day tests will have great scheduling advantages. You could have a 4 day game that goes from Thursday to Sunday, have 3 days rest and then have another Thursday-Sunday game. This means you will consistently be able to have games that run from Friday-Sunday, the days where most people come. This will be sustainable for long series too. Having 4 day tests will also cut the expenses faced by boards.

There are 2 issues though. One is rain, the other is overs. If even one day is rained out in a 4 day match, it is very tough to get a result. I think they should have a reserve 5th day, which is only used when a certain amount of overs have been lost, if too much time has been lost and captains/umpires agree that there still won't be a result, don't use that day. For overs, the day will have to be increased by one hour. 105 overs should be the goal for each day. For this to happen, they need to enforce strict over-rate punishments, fining players won't cut it. I think they need to have maybe 3 or 4 penalty runs added to the opposing teams total for every over a team is short. Still continue to fine and ban captains, but penalty runs should be added on top of that.

Purists don't like the idea of 4 day tests but I think it's something players and fans need to embrace for the sustainability of test cricket.
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While your points are valid but 4 day tests will rob us of some of the classic test match finishes. Also it will encourage teams to go into defensive and test saving mode if they are behind in the game as there would be more chance of squeezing in a draw in a 4 day test than in 5 days tests. Not sure how much fans and players will like drawn tests.

Further if the number of overs per day are to be increased; how will the fitness of players hold up as they will have to spend more time on the field for a prolonged period in a single day. Not to forget fast bowlers who will have to push their body to the limits further and thus increasing the risk of injuries.

So these are few things which can create problems.
 
Man if they try to mess with the most pure and unadulterated format of the game, imma lose it.
 
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Titan24 said:
While your points are valid but 4 day tests will rob us of some of the classic test match finishes. Also it will encourage teams to go into defensive and test saving mode if they are behind in the game as there would be more chance of squeezing in a draw in a 4 day test than in 5 days tests. Not sure how much fans and players will like drawn tests.

Further if the number of overs per day are to be increased; how will the fitness of players hold up as they will have to spend more time on the field for a prolonged period in a single day. Not to forget fast bowlers who will have to push their body to the limits further and thus increasing the risk of injuries.

So these are few things which can create problems.
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If they implement 105 overs in a day, we'd only lose one sessions worth of cricket. 420 overs vs 450 overs. I don't think it will make teams play defensively since 30 overs isn't a huge loss. Although I doubt the ICC will incorporate 105 overs a day, however even if they do 100 a day, a loss of 50 overs is still not big enough in my eyes to make teams start playing defensively very early, especially because pitches today are more result oriented than they have ever been this century

Another way of thinking about it is, maybe the draw needs to make a return. This year there were 4 drawn matches, all of them were affected by rain. A drawn match doesn't mean a boring match. Drawn matches are boring when the pitch is flat, but a hard fought draw can actually be very interesting to watch.

Currently days are 90 overs. 90 split between 4 bowlers is 22 and half overs per bowler for a day, increasing to 105 will mean 26.25 overs per bowler. So an increase of 4 overs per day per bowler, however we know most teams use some sort of 5th bowler even if it's just a part timer, so the increase will probably be 2 overs per day per front-line bowler, which I don't think is a big enough increase to make bowlers significantly more injury prone, specially in an era where cricketers are more fit than they ever have been before.
 
aloo paratha said:
lthough I doubt the ICC will incorporate 105 overs a day, however even if they do 100 a day, a loss of 50 overs is still not big enough in my eyes to make teams start playing defensively very early
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50 overs can easily be the difference if a side is 4-5 down and chasing an a huge total, than if 50 overs are remaining bowling side would be favorites from there on. Imagine those 50 overs not being there; same would be the case with side chasing in the last innings and those 50 overs can make a big difference. It wont necessarily finish test match cricket but can surely have an impact on some potential classic finishes. Lets take an example of recently concluded SA vs Eng test; I highly doubt Eng would have been playing as many shots post lunch on day 4th as they were if that would have been the last day. They were trying to win it from there as that was the only possibility as 5th day which was yet to come took any possibility of draw out of the picture.

Yes I agree about draws making a return but, we dont want them to become too common as well.

aloo paratha said:
Currently days are 90 overs. 90 split between 4 bowlers is 22 and half overs per bowler for a day, increasing to 105 will mean 26.25 overs per bowler. So an increase of 4 overs per day per bowler, however we know most teams use some sort of 5th bowler even if it's just a part timer, so the increase will probably be 2 overs per day per front-line bowler, which I don't think is a big enough increase to make bowlers significantly more injury prone, specially in an era where cricketers are more fit than they ever have been before.
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10-20% of extra workload at the end of the day with tired bodies can be pretty tricky for fast bowlers. Yes they might be fitter than before but with 3 formats and T20 leagues their workload is also much more.
 
I highly doubt we will get more overs. But anyways the discussion here about workload and producing results is using the existing set up and fitting it in four days.

The bigger picture will be the fundamental change as to how captains will approach the game when there is going to be only four days available. Although it might have its interesting moments , the question is the need for it in the first place, more so when test cricket is enjoying its best run in recent years.
 
Titan24 said:
50 overs can easily be the difference if a side is 4-5 down and chasing an a huge total, than if 50 overs are remaining bowling side would be favorites from there on. Imagine those 50 overs not being there; same would be the case with side chasing in the last innings and those 50 overs can make a big difference. It wont necessarily finish test match cricket but can surely have an impact on some potential classic finishes. Lets take an example of recently concluded SA vs Eng test; I highly doubt Eng would have been playing as many shots post lunch on day 4th as they were if that would have been the last day. They were trying to win it from there as that was the only possibility as 5th day which was yet to come took any possibility of draw out of the picture.

Yes I agree about draws making a return but, we dont want them to become too common as well.



10-20% of extra workload at the end of the day with tired bodies can be pretty tricky for fast bowlers. Yes they might be fitter than before but with 3 formats and T20 leagues their workload is also much more.
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You're right, which is why I'd only ever want this if they can get 105 overs bowled in a day.

The argument about bowlers workload: Well in the end the amount of overs being bowled by bowlers will be less, as there will be less play. So its either, bowl more overs, but across 5 days, or bowl slightly less overs, across 4 days.

If I was to just think from the perspective of the game being played, I'd keep it 5 days, but I think the benefits of 4 day test cricket for boards will out weigh the negatives of it. Test cricket is becoming more and more unsustainable, teams are playing more T20Is than ever before. NZ will play 13 T20Is in their home summer but only 4 tests. Ireland had to cancel their test against Bangladesh because the cost is too high. 4 day cricket is a way for boards to make tests more affordable. If we are stubborn and keep 5 day tests, we'll just see less and less test matches as the years go on.
 
aloo paratha said:
If I was to just think from the perspective of the game being played, I'd keep it 5 days, but I think the benefits of 4 day test cricket for boards will out weigh the negatives of it. Test cricket is becoming more and more unsustainable, teams are playing more T20Is than ever before. NZ will play 13 T20Is in their home summer but only 4 tests. Ireland had to cancel their test against Bangladesh because the cost is too high. 4 day cricket is a way for boards to make tests more affordable. If we are stubborn and keep 5 day tests, we'll just see less and less test matches as the years go on.
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Agreed that test cricket has been difficult to sustain for certain boards and requires some tough decisions. I think day and night tests was a decent idea but we have only been able to see very few due to logistics and boards not agreeing on most occasions. While I personally dont wan to forgo 5 day tests and the benefits of that but if survival of tests has been as difficult as difficult as ICC is portraying than I would like any other cricket fan would take 4 day tests over nothing. Though I would still question ICC being bogged down by leagues and some boards for scheduling; yes i can understand the revenue and financial costs associated with 5 day vs 4 day tests.
 
4 day tests might just ensure Pakistan drawing a test match in Australia.
 
Joseph Gomes said:
Not in Eng and Aus, but true for most countries.
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What is the point of two countries interest?

White ball cricket is the future

Bangladesh and WI competed well against India in white ball cricket but slaughtered in test cricket. 3 to 4 teams playing well in a certain format isn't a great viewing and the future looks bleak
 
The England and Wales Cricket Board "cautiously" supports four-day Tests as a possible way of easing the strain on players and the international schedule.

The International Cricket Council will consider the Test calendar beyond 2023 in January with a one-day reduction in match length likely to be discussed.

"We're definite proponents of the four-day Test concept but cautiously so," said an ECB spokesperson.

The ECB added it may help "complex scheduling" and "player workloads".

The governing body admitted, though, that the change to four-day Tests would be controversial.

"We understand it's an emotive topic for players, fans and others who have concerns about challenging the heritage of Test cricket," it added.

It is estimated the change would free up around 40 days a year in the international schedule.

England played a four-day Test against Ireland last summer which ended on day three. Each playing day was extended by 30 minutes to allow for 98 overs to be bowled rather than the standard 90.

"I think it is a real shame Test cricket is dying, but there is no doubt that it is," former England batsman Nick Compton told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I guess in the time we live we are focused on Twenty20 cricket and the shorter formats of the game, and let's face it - the game is only getting shorter.

"Test matches are not surviving five days, so I can understand where the push for it has come from, but I think it is a shame.

"I think it is an indictment on the game and where the development and focus has been. Players' skills are perhaps not there, the big scores are not happening, the scores are not as high and the games are not lasting the distance.

"As a player I think it is a shame, but the governing bodies will have to assess it from a financial point of view."


https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/50958450
 
Hell NO. 5 day tests are great don't mess with it. Keep that 4 day rubbish away.
 
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In about a decade there will probably be a thread on here along the lines of "3 or 4 day Tests?" That's just the way that that format is going. The ICC should just do what they really want to do, which is to kill it off altogether except in England and Australia where a few people still care.
 
This is an insult by the ICC on the most premier institution of the game; test cricket. In cricketing terms, a change like this would amount to sacrilege. Allowing teams to selectively play 4 day tests was bad enough, but understandable to an extent as it benefited the weaker and newer test teams. But enforcing it as the only way of playing test cricket is an assault on the very basic foundations of this great game. I sincerely hope this is not allowed to happen.
 
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RedwoodOriginal said:
This is an insult by the ICC on the most premier institution of the game; test cricket. In cricketing terms, a change like this would amount to sacrilege. Allowing teams to selectively play 4 day tests was bad enough, but understandable to an extent as it benefited the weaker and newer test teams. But enforcing it as the only way of playing test cricket is an assault on the very basic foundations of this great game. I sincerely hope this is not allowed to happen.
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You are taking as if Test cricket has never been changed, they use to play timeless test till 1939 and then it was played for over 6 days, 5 playing days and a rest day. They can increase the number of over form 90 to 100 overs per day and reduce the number of playing days to 4.
 
Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon has launched a spirited defence of five-day Tests following the recent discussion around four-day matches, labelling the concept "ridiculous".

The debate around four-day Test cricket has reignited after Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts said CA would "look really seriously" at the concept in the coming years ahead of the next eight-year Future Tours Programme cycle from 2023.

Australia host Afghanistan on home soil next summer and Roberts said that CA would consider making that match a four-day contest.

Lyon says he is "totally against" four-day Test cricket and points out some of the game's most memorable matches have finished in dramatic fashion late on the fifth day.

"You look at all the big games around the world and some of the best Test matches I've been part of, they go down to the last day," Lyon said on this week's episode of The Unplayable Podcast.

"You look at (Australia) against India at Adelaide in 2014, that went down to the last half-an-hour on day five. Then you look at Cape Town in 2014 as well, you look at that Test match where Ryan Harris bowled Morne Morkel with two overs to go, so that's gone down to the last 10 minutes on a day five.

"I'm not a fan of four-day Test matches.

"I believe you'll get so many more draws and day five is crucial.

"One, there's the weather element. But (also) the wickets these days are probably a lot flatter than they have been in the past, so it allows teams to bat longer and to put pressure on sides … and you need that time for the pitch to deteriorate and bring spinners in more on day five as well.

"I'm totally against it and I hope ICC aren't even considering it."

Four-day Tests are comprised of four 98-over days (as opposed to five 90-over days) and 38 of the 43 result Test matches in Australia in the past 10 years have been completed inside the 392 overs of a four-day Test.

While Lyon cherishes a fifth-day finish in Tests, only three Tests in the past decade in Australia have required more than 400 overs to achieve a result and the two Tests widely regarded as the most enthralling of 2019 – Sri Lanka’s one-wicket win over South Africa in Durban and England’s Ashes comeback at Headingley – both finished on the fourth day.

However, as Lyon points out, the impact of wet weather and bad light can extend a Test match into a fifth day, and the longer the match progresses the more the pitch is likely to deteriorate and bring spin bowlers into the contest.

"It's a challenge," Lyon said on five-day Tests. "You challenge yourself in different ways – physically and mentally.

"It's not just a walk in the park. Five-day Test matches, they are hard work especially if the conditions aren't in your favour.

"You want to challenge yourself. I'm all against four-day Test matches."

Former Test captains Mark Taylor and Michael Vaughan are strong advocates of four-day Tests, suggesting each match would start on a Thursday and conclude on a Sunday to provide a consistency in scheduling for fans and broadcasters.

But while CA has flagged its intention to look at the concept of four-day Test matches with a proposed maiden match with Afghanistan next year a possibility for the reduced timeslot, Roberts noted it’s still too early to be having those discussions.

"We haven't got that far yet," he said.

"We're obviously in the middle of an exciting Test series against New Zealand that is part of the (ICC's) World Test Championship.

"Once this international season finishes, that's when we start the planning for the following season.

"And we will go into that with an open mind about how we can support the growth of cricket in Afghanistan, and the best way to help their tour to Australia contribute to Australian cricket as well.

"I think as we explore possibilities in the next cycle from 2023 to 2031, it's very important we ask ourselves the right questions about cricket.

"We know having surveyed around 8,000 Australian fans a couple of years ago, the two main things they wanted from us were an expanded BBL and more innovation in Test cricket in the form of four-day Tests and day-night Tests.

"It's been great to have a couple of day-night Tests this year, and we've got to look really seriously at the future of four-day Test cricket.

"And given the average length of Test matches are less than four days, then it's something to consider really seriously in the next eight-year cycle from 2023."

Test skipper Tim Paine and vice-captain Travis Head support five-day Tests and while Lyon's teammates are in the same boat as their veteran off-spinner, Australia coach Justin Langer says he would consider four-day Tests if it ensures the future of Test cricket.

"My preference – I’m a traditionalist and anyone who knows me, I don’t like to change too much – so I probably prefer five-day Test matches," Langer said today in Sydney.

"But again, like with wickets and like with schedules, if four-day Test matches keeps Test cricket alive and well then it worth looking at.

"But I love five days only because I’m boring and don’t like to change much."

https://www.cricket.com.au/news/nat...tralia-icc-world-test-championship/2020-01-01
 
shah_1 said:
What is the point of two countries interest?

White ball cricket is the future

Bangladesh and WI competed well against India in white ball cricket but slaughtered in test cricket. 3 to 4 teams playing well in a certain format isn't a great viewing and the future looks bleak
Click to expand...

Test cricket is a prestige format, it hasn't been popular since 1983 after India won WC. Test cricket will be played by all teams artifically, by any means necessary, which includes subsidies. Fans may not care about it, but players do which is a big deal to ICC.
 
Cricket is a spectator sport and really it's about time we had it reduced from 5 to 4 days. Sport has to adapt to changing times and if it helps for more people to attend especially if day 3/4 ends on a weekend.
 
Keep it as 5 days. This 4 days is nonsense. Also people talking about more draws are missing the point that their will be 98 overs in a day. So that is also most identical to the amount of overs in a 5 day tests.
 
If people are not going to watch a 5 day Test then they won't watch a 4 day Test either. It's a niche at this point and that's fine. No matter what they try to do to for Tests, it won't work.

More 4 day Tests and more Tests in general as a result of a shorter Tests will probably result in more fast bowlers injuries with longer days and more Tests.

It's also 450 overs (90 x 5) vs 392, so there will be quite a few more draws. It's nonsense to watch a Test match whether its 4 days or 5 days to see it conclude as a draw.
 
Cricket won't be cricket without test cricket. Yes, times are changing, but I hope Test cricket remains The Premium format atleast thru my life time.
 
shah_1 said:
What is the point of two countries interest?

White ball cricket is the future

Bangladesh and WI competed well against India in white ball cricket but slaughtered in test cricket. 3 to 4 teams playing well in a certain format isn't a great viewing and the future looks bleak
Click to expand...
I'm with you brother.

NZ, WI, SL, Bangladesh and Pakistan really should look to the shorter formats, Test cricket loses theses boards money and does not appeal to most fans. The sooner these teams give it up, they can grow the sport in their countries and strengthen their shorter format teams by investing in formats that people actually watch and appeal to.
 
Birdman said:
Cricket won't be cricket without test cricket. Yes, times are changing, but I hope Test cricket remains The Premium format atleast thru my life time.
Click to expand...
Test cricket is done, the gap between the top teams is only getting wider and they're the only ones who make money from it. The others actually hurt themselves by participating in it, they would be better off not playing any Test cricket.
 
It will only work in countries apart from asia, due to test cricket being played there in the winter, so unless your planning to start at 07.3 in the morning there is no way you will have a chance to compete your overs.

Also I placed like england were rain is very likely , having a 5 th day provides more chance of a result even if the rain does come down.

Beauty of test cricket is how the pitch changes on the 5th day.


PLEASE LEAVE TEST CRICKET ALONE
 
Nathan Lyon brands four-day Test concept 'ridiculous' despite push for trial

Australia's greatest off-spinner Nathan Lyon has branded the idea of reducing Test matches to four days "ridiculous".

Lyon's blunt assessment comes after Australian captain Tim Paine, vice-captain Travis Head and coach Justin Langer also backed the retention of cricket's five-day format.

Yet the push for four-day Tests is gaining momentum, with backing from influential former Test captains Mark Taylor and Michael Vaughan, plus a comment from Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Robert told SEN last week that: "We need to look at it very carefully and perhaps it is more likely than not in the mid-term future."

Australia's one-off Test against Afghanistan next summer may well be a four-day Test, with the ICC having previously approved trials of the concept. Four-day Tests will be on the agenda this year as world cricket deals with its ever-more crowded schedule.

But four-day Tests have so far raised the ire of the players, with Lyon's rejection the most strident yet. Arguably Lyon's greatest Test match, a 12-wicket haul against Virat Kohli's India in Adelaide, featured a seven-wicket masterclass on day five; the day where slow bowlers have the chance to dominate on wearing pitches.

"Ridiculous," Lyon said of the four-day concept on The Unplayable Podcast.

"You look at all the big games around the world and some of the best Test matches I've been a part of, they go down to the last day.

"You look against India in Adelaide a few years ago, 2014, that went down to the last half-an-hour on day five. Then you look at Cape Town in 2014 as well, that Test match where Ryan Harris bowled Morne Morkel with two overs to go; that's gone down to the last 10 minutes on a day five.

"I'm not a fan of day four Test matches. I believe you'll get so many more draws and day five is crucial (to ensuring results); and obviously the weather element, if there's any [wet] weather around.

"The wickets these days are probably a lot flatter than they have been in the past, so it allows teams to bat longer and put pressure on sides. You need more time for the pitch to deteriorate and bring spinners in more on day five as well.

"I'm totally against it [four-day Tests] and I really hope ICC aren't even considering it."

Though the result was awful for Australia, the 2019 Headingley Ashes Test featuring Ben Stokes' incredible match-winning century was another recent five-day masterpiece. So too was the Manchester Test, which Australia won in the 90th over of England's second innings; within the last half-hour of day five, to retain the Ashes.

Lyon said that five-day Test matches were the ultimate challenge for elite cricketers.

"You're challenging yourself in different ways, physically and mentally," he said.

"It's not just a walk in the park. Day five, a five-day Test match, they are hard work, especially if the conditions aren't in your favour. You want to challenge yourself, so I'm all against four-day Test matches."

https://wwos.nine.com.au/cricket/fo...n-langer/654a5339-4b7d-4d92-873d-022a34cad299
 
Last edited:
Aman said:
Test cricket is done, the gap between the top teams is only getting wider and they're the only ones who make money from it. The others actually hurt themselves by participating in it, they would be better off not playing any Test cricket.
Click to expand...

You are 100% right, giving Bangladesh test status in 2000 was an experiment by ICC to see if weaker teams can sustain playing tests, and it failed. Tests absolutely cost huge amounts of money for every nation that's not India, Eng and Aus. India has very low attendance as well, but they recover it with advertise money.

Bangladesh plays like 5 tests every year, that too mostly against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. What is the point of this? Why even bother playing?
 
Joseph Gomes said:
You are 100% right, giving Bangladesh test status in 2000 was an experiment by ICC to see if weaker teams can sustain playing tests, and it failed. Tests absolutely cost huge amounts of money for every nation that's not India, Eng and Aus. India has very low attendance as well, but they recover it with advertise money.

Bangladesh plays like 5 tests every year, that too mostly against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. What is the point of this? Why even bother playing?
Click to expand...

India recover their money not only through adv but also with limited overs cricket.
In limited overs cricket you have seen crowds,the stadium is packed.
They can't do that in test cricket unless it's in big cities.
 
Nasty Naz said:
If people are not going to watch a 5 day Test then they won't watch a 4 day Test either. It's a niche at this point and that's fine. No matter what they try to do to for Tests, it won't work.

More 4 day Tests and more Tests in general as a result of a shorter Tests will probably result in more fast bowlers injuries with longer days and more Tests.

It's also 450 overs (90 x 5) vs 392, so there will be quite a few more draws. It's nonsense to watch a Test match whether its 4 days or 5 days to see it conclude as a draw.
Click to expand...

I agree with this, reducing a day is not going to bring the crowds in - if any, the lack of result will push the crowds further away.

ICC is just pushing this so that it can squeeze in more WC/ Champions trophy kinda series in the calendar to generate more money for itself, but it will destroy test cricket which is the benchmark to separate the men from the boys. Honestly if some boards think they are loosing money by playing test cricket, they should simply opt out of playing tests, rather than ICC diluting & killing test cricket for everybody.
 
There is a talk about 4 day test...I would like to see 8/10 ball over in test.

That would be good for bowlers, lot of time bowlers setup the batsman and over changes, you can plan more with 4 extra balls. When bowlers get his length and rhythm right, that is the time those extra balls will be real handy and move the game forward.

Plus we will bowl more balls per day, less time wasted in over change...
 
Birdman said:
You are taking as if Test cricket has never been changed, they use to play timeless test till 1939 and then it was played for over 6 days, 5 playing days and a rest day. They can increase the number of over form 90 to 100 overs per day and reduce the number of playing days to 4.
Click to expand...

Lol so? Test cricket has been played like this for 70 years. The only reason ICC want to do this is so that they can have more days to host T20Is and stuff like the Super Series. It is nothing more than an attempt to make more money and increase the number of matches that Big 3 teams play. As if there isn't enough of that already. And just because some matches end in 3-4 days doesn't mean we don't get great 5 day matches that end in hard-earned draws and wins.
 
Let's not forget why ICC is proposing to do this. It's for their own cynical reasons which is to make more money by staging more T20I matches and things like the Super Series. In short, it is yet another way in which the Big 3 cartel will benefit immensely while the others will be brought onboard by the usual means of convincing/coercion.
 
Test cricket MUST be scheduled for 5 days ..... for PAK's case, in winter, if not six days. A Test match might end in 3 days and I don't mind players enjoying paid vacations for 2 days, showcasing their golfing skills, but it MUST have to be scheduled for 5 days. AND Asian countries MUST enforce this.

There are three reasons, it's imperative that Asian countries must stick together and make sure that Test cricket is played for 5 Days, at least. First one - a soccer game lasts for 2.5 hours max., including extra time & tie-breakers. A T10 game lasts almost equal to that, means number of days actually has absolutely nothing in it - making it even 2 days Test, won't serve that purpose. And, that (duration) isn't the real reason behind it either - we'll see later why.

Second one is logistical - ENG/AUS/SAF/NZ plays cricket in summer, with longer day light and clear weather (without dew & haze). They can schedule 4 Day Tests, or even D/N Tests and play for 105 overs/Day (almost 8 hours playing time); in South Asia, maximum we can get is 6.5 hours playing time in a sunny day, which often isn't enough for 90 overs, means most of the 4 Day Tests in winter/autumn/spring here will become a 350 overs contest. This actually will make the game defensive, monotonous (very little chance for a come-back means most games will hang into one sided contest from Day 1 - either team in advantage wins or a boring draw), which will make the game even more unpopular here. D/N Test isn't a solution either because of the winter condition, wet ball and visibility issues for 7.5 hours play/day. Many Tests these days are finishing in 4, even 3 days, but one reason being that team behind knows they can't avoid eventual defeat over 5 days, so they play positively/normal and game ends earlier. May of these games will become a farce of gamesmanship, if Test starts with a limitation that 350 overs is max duration and there is no time to make-up. This is without considering any weather intervention - couple of hours rain or a little delay for winter fog .......

Third reason is tactical and for this one EVERY Asian team MUST force ICC to abandon this stupid idea. The unique strength of Asian teams are their spin attack and their batting skills against spin with flexible wrists. Non Asian teams can't match the spin playing skills of Asian sides either with bat or ball. At present Indian and in past PAK attack was among best in world not because they had quality pacers, rather because they had spinners to back that quality pace attack - something apart from AUS, no other non Asian team can hardly find.

4 Day Test will limit the spin skills considerably either way. Aging of the wicket has a major factor on the extract of spin on a wicket - that's not only from duration perspectives, but also the rolling on the track, one less day means the last day of a Test will be what is now 4th day of a Test. For a complete attack, based on 3 pacers and 1/2 wicket taking spinners, one needs a context where teams will pick spinner (s) purely on bowling merit - among non Asian sides, only AUS has/had that luxury. A 4 Day Test will limit the role of specialist spinner's role significantly.

The counter argument is that, Asian teams can put rank turners to counter short duration of the match, but that's a bigger trap. It reduces the skill gap of spin play with bat and the quality of spin attack, because instead of classical spinners, even average darters like Shantner or Moeen will be equally effective on those tracks (& their batting is a bonus) because batting becomes a lottery - teams with few bits & pieces spin all-rounders will be in massive advantage on such tracks. To explain the situation, I can give examples of last tours by AUS & ENG in India - on that Pune track, AUS won a vital toss, tail slogged with bat and that SLAO spinner guy (forgot name) took a 10 for!!!! But, IND-ENG series was played on good batting tracks, customary Asian slow turners - Poms were man handled despite winning most tosses & putting big scores in 1st innings. Australia, at one point won 6 tosses in India, but lost all six Tests - only Test they made a bit close (Laxman-Ishant Test), was again played on an under-prepared track.

I understand where ICC (SENA) countries are coming from - they are trying to make the game a fast-bowling shoot-out. They'll use 3 out & out pacers + 2 pace all-rounders and may be one like Moeen Ali or Glen Maxwell to manage over-rate (read, bowl spin), bring their power hitting and batting depth into equation to counter the Asian teams, in Asia as well. In this circus, the biggest gainers will be England - don't have any quality spinners, neither any batsman who can bat for 4-5 sessions, nor many express bowlers either. Be spin or green track, if we are to ensure results in 4 days, wicket has to favor average bowlers (low scoring games), and it'll brings bits & pieces all-rounders in play big time for their over-all contribution - a particular type of wicket that was used in PAK domestics for last few years .... and we definitely know which country will be benefited most with this tactics.

Test cricket's duration should be increased, rather than reducing it further- if not by days, but may be by overs, at least it must remain at current state - 6 hours + 30 minutes per day, 450 overs at least in 5 days. Play Tests for full 5 days, play on true, batting surfaces where ball comes on to bat; batsmen get value for their timing, placement and penetrative bowlers can get 20 wickets over 5 days - in short, those fantastic Australian wickets of olden days, or the old Eden/Chepauk/Chinmuswamy wickets.
 
A ludicrous proposal that doesn't take into account anything but financial gains. Of all the sports bodies of the world, ICC is the greediest.
 
omairsiddiqui said:
A ludicrous proposal that doesn't take into account anything but financial gains. Of all the sports bodies of the world, ICC is the greediest.
Click to expand...
This is a governing body which allowed for a WC to be determined by boundaries...
 
I disagree with the assertion that South Asians don't like test cricket, I'd argue that many of them do in fact in love test cricket but they'd rather watch at home on TV then go to the game - it's a very different spectator culture. Cricket boards should learn how their consumers like to watch their cricket and then try to monetize that maybe by charging more for broadcast rights, sponsors or sell a pay-per-view streaming service or something. Brown people ain't gon' sit on the grass sippin tea and eating crumpets on a Sunday afternoon. Understand your customer.
 
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