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Should Test matches' length be reduced to four days for more interest?

Looks like a lot of momentum building now for 4 day Tests.
 
Sir Richard Hadlee: Four-day Tests will save cricket's traditional format

He made his debut in a four-day test, now Sir Richard Hadlee is backing a return to them in order to save cricket's traditional format.

New Zealand's greatest cricketer has been joined by fellow fast bowler Shane Bond in calling for a reduction in the humble five-day test to breathe life into a format proving less and less attractive to the paying public, broadcasters and some national boards.

It follows a report in the Telegraph saying the England and Wales Cricket Board will push hard for tests to be reduced from five to four days after it hosts the 2019 Ashes series. It will make its case at the next International Cricket council board meeting in Auckland, starting on October 10, where a test championship is expected to be ratified.

Hadlee, touring the country promoting his new book The Skipper's Diary, which charts father Walter's account of the 1949 tour of England, said there was a need for progress.

"I'm a traditionalist but if we don't change we're going to lose the game that is the foundation on what cricket is based: five-day test cricket. If it comes back to four I don't have a problem as long as they bowl the overs," Hadlee said.

Hadlee snared 431 wickets in 86 tests and the first of them, Pakistan's Asif Iqbal, was taken in Wellington during the 1973 home series of three four-day tests.

"My view of four-day cricket is they've got to bowl 100 overs a day and they stay out there till they do, unless it's weather affected. They've got to quicken it up.

"These guys in 1949 were bowling 120 overs in six hours, and 350-400 runs were scored. If you bowled 100 in a day you might have to start earlier to get it in but you're only losing 50 overs in a test match."

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White has previously backed a move to four-day tests as it prepares to host England in the country's first day-night pink ball test at Auckland's Eden Park in March. Four-day tests would be played Thursday to Sunday to try and maximise weekend crowds, and enable three-test series over successive weekends.

This summer's four home tests against West Indies and England are the only ones the Black Caps will play in the next year, while there are 10 lucrative home Twenty20 internationals scheduled. White has said tests almost always lose money, unless it's against a big nation, and the format ranks a clear third for broadcasters behind T20 and ODIs.

Hadlee said of the T20 revolution: "That's what the consumer wants, spectators and television, and trying to preserve and protect test cricket is a real challenge. We need to make test cricket more relevant because people haven't got five days to watch the game on television or at the ground.

"By introducing the day-night test in Auckland it will be new and it has worked in Australia. Whether the weather is kind to us at night is something to consider."

Indeed, weather may be the biggest obstacle for four-day tests in New Zealand. Rain ruined two well-poised contests against South Africa in Dunedin and Hamilton in March, and they were five-dayers.

Bond, currently coaching New Zealand A in India and confirmed as England's fast bowling consultant for the Ashes series in November, said it was strange that tests didn't align with first-class cricket which is played over four days.

"I love test cricket but you want to try to get a result and make it exciting. If you want to keep people engaged in the longer formats, to go along or watch on TV, it's got to suit in terms of hours and you want to see results. There have been a lot of results in games around the world, within four days," Bond said.

"If they get the pitch preparation right and allow something for bowlers, whether it turns or whether it seams, and put some limitations of the first innings then it can only be good for the game."

Hadlee, meanwhile, is signing off his official involvement with NZC with his book tour as he pays tribute to his father and the '49ers who he labelled trailblazers for the game in New Zealand.

Now 66, Hadlee stepped down from the NZC board, having retired from cricket in 1990 and had a stint as national selector.

"I've had four extremely enjoyable years on the board and really embraced the fact I could still be involved in the game. To commit for another three years, I wasn't quite ready to do that, particularly this project that's taken four years in itself and there's still a lot to do with the marketing and promotion of it," he said.

"I've got nothing else planned but I'll take an interest in the game for sure, and what's happening around the world. As far as being physically and emotionally involved as I have been for so long, perhaps I can sit back and enjoy it a little more with on pressures."

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/crick...y-tests-will-save-crickets-traditional-format
 
I don't think so, people who won't watch 5 days won't watch 4 either.

Who wouldn't want to queue up round the block to get in for 8am starts that ensure 100 overs are bowled every day. T20 better watch out.
 
He was a great player but I strongly disagree with his opinion in this case.
 
Four days test will save the weaker teams to avoid defeat because of time running out. That is not what test match is all about. Test match is supposed to get a team thoroughly tested over a period of five days.
 
The best way to generate interest in test cricket is by playing less of it.

I suggest playing test cricket only in alternate years. OR lesser number of test matches for teams in one year. Perhaps 2 series of 3 matches each. Thats it.

Also give meaning to test matches and associate history with them. Its pathetic that in so many decades of test cricket, we only have Ashes and to a lesser extent a border-gavaskar trophy to boast about as test series with some meaning and history attached to them. Who wants to see meaningless bilateral test matches for days altogether?

Cut the supply, generate demand. The 5 day format should remain the same.
 
South African players oppose idea of four-day Tests

CAPETOWN: On the day that two of South Africa’s leading Test cricketers voiced their strong opposition to the concept of four-day Tests, it has emerged that Cricket South Africa failed to properly consult with their players prior to scheduling a four-day match against Zimbabwe. Although the players have promised to take part in the match if the ICC approves CSA’s request for it to carry Test status, the game is likely to be cancelled in the event that it is not.

On Monday (Oct 2), captain Faf du Plessis and opening batsman Dean Elgarboth expressed their desire for five-day Tests to continue in the wake of South Africa’s victory over Bangladesh in the first Test, which was only sewn up on the fifth morning in Potchefstroom, While du Plessis said that removing a day would make the game less challenging, Elgar suggested that cricket “should not tinker with something that’s not broken”.

“I am a fan of five-day Test cricket,” du Plessis said. “I believe the great Test matches have gone to the last hour of the last day on day five. That’s what is so special about Test cricket. In four-day cricket or first-class cricket, it does feel easier because there are only four days.

“For five days you have to graft it out. Bowlers have to bowl a lot more and batters have to construct much bigger innings. This Test proved that a day five was needed. If it was a rain-off yesterday, it would have been very disappointing so I am a fan of that.”

Yet Elgar, who does not play the shorter formats for South Africa, was even more vociferous in his support of five-day games. “I’m a five-day Test specialist, and it must stay that way in my opinion,” he said.

“I don’t think you should tinker with something that’s not broken. If you go and play around the world, Test cricket is followed quite well. If you play in Australia, if you play in England, even if you play in South Africa against the relatively big nations you still get very good crowds. There are other formats that are being experimented with. I don’t see why Test cricket should suffer. I am a purist when it comes to that. Hopefully the game can have longevity in the five-day format.”

Such vehement opposition to four-day Tests raised the question of why CSA pushed the concept by scheduling a day-night game against Zimbabwe on Boxing Day, but it turns out that no formal consultation took place.

While CSA’s then-chief executive Haroon Lorgat had informal discussions with the South African team management when Russell Domingo was still the coach, the final proposal was supposed to be discussed with the players — through the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) — after their tour of England. Despite the fact that those talks are yet to take place, CSA announced last month that it intends to host Zimbabwe for a four-day day/night Test in December.

Both the playing conditions for the game and the match’s Test status will need to be ratified by the ICC when it meets in Auckland next week. “There’s a lot of work that needs to go into it,” added Irish. “We know there are scheduling advantages but there hasn’t been enough work done on it. I understand why CSA want to do this. They want to provide content over a period where there is traditionally cricket. I am not sure that a four-day day/night Test against Zimbabwe is the answer.”

Lorgat was known to be a strong supporter of four-day Test cricket, but his departure from CSA last week will not change the board’s approach. “We are an organisation and when the organisation comes up with an idea it is not the product of one person. We as an organisation came up with the concept,” CSA president Chris Nenzani said.

CSA will therefore press ahead with their request for the match against Zimbabwe to be given Test status, with acting chief executive Thabang Moroe set to present their case to the ICC. Moroe said that Irish had assured him the players would take part in the match if the request is granted - but not if it was denied. CSA general manager Corrie van Zyl and commercial manager Clive Eksteen are in the process of creating a contingency plan. “Our broadcasters need content and we need players to play cricket,” said Moroe. “I have asked Corrie and Clive to work out a plan in case the ICC says ‘no’.”

To some, the sight of South Africa beating Bangladesh by 333 runs in a Test that was played in front of small crowds at a lesser venue outside of cricket season looks like a case for the four-day concept. Although a fifth day was required to achieve a result, only 323.5 overs were needed - which could theoretically have been possible in four days if they were lengthened to 100 overs per day.

As du Plessis and Elgar spoke, a stronger case against four-day Tests was being made in Abu Dhabi, where Sri Lanka beat Pakistan in an epic Test that went to the final session of day five. Around three-quarters of Test matches in the UAE since 2010 have gone into a fifth day, which is in contrast to trends in South Africa.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1361560/south-african-players-oppose-idea-of-4-day-tests
 
I think the 4 Day Test is a trial too far!

Don't think other boards will follow

Also, if one does it then all should do - maybe like a pink ball one as the effect on ratings cannot be under-estimated
 
Australia skipper Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner say no to ICC's proposed four-day Tests

Sydney: Australia captain Steve Smith and star opener David Warner say they have no desire to play four-day Tests in a setback to international cricket chiefs who have floated the idea.

At a board meeting in Auckland this month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) unveiled plans for a long-awaited, nine-nation Test championship in a bid to preserve the five-day format's status following the rapid growth of Twenty20.

Among a raft of other reforms, it also agreed to experiment with four-day Tests, with South Africa and Zimbabwe set to trial the first in December.

But Smith and Warner are not keen, even if the hours and over requirements of each day are extended to reduce disparity with the traditional format.

"Personally, I like five so I would like to keep it at five," Smith said in an interview with cricket.com.au.

"Just the traditional way that Test cricket has been played, I think it's great when you get into that fifth day and enter that last hour, I think it's a really cool part of the game."

Warner was even more strident in his opposition, saying: "I have no interest in four-day cricket".

"You have so many variables in Test match cricket – you've got weather, some games might be only getting three days but it just takes one day to have that weather come in and it can ruin it," he told the same website.

"Then on the flip-side, it's a Test.

"It's the longevity, being out there on your legs, it's grit, determination, those things come to my mind to actually want to keep playing five-day cricket.

"Like a timeless Test (a feature of Test cricket in the 1920s and '30s), it's basically survival of the fittest."

Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland has expressed support for the trial, but indicated earlier this month it was unlikely Australia would take part any time soon.

"We were supportive of the trial... I think it's about learning, it's about innovation, it's about understanding whether these sorts of things can work," he told reporters.

"Our Test schedule over the next couple of years before the Test Championship starts has us playing against England this summer, South Africa, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.

"I don't foresee us playing any four-day Test cricket in that window. But that's not to say we don't support the trial. We'll certainly be interested observers," he added.

http://www.firstpost.com/firstcrick...-to-iccs-proposed-four-day-tests-4174305.html
 
Good to see players opposing 4 day Test cricket. Will be the worst thing ever to happen to the game.
 
If it introduces pitches that are more bowler friendly, then I see no harm in trying it out. If it doesn't work, then bin it. But if it does produce more engaging matches, it can improve Test cricket. Sure, late Day 5 dramas are great when they occur, but not at the expense of dull 3-4 days preceding it. The best Test I have seen in the last few years was the Lords Test between England and Pakistan. It was a see-saw battle for the majority of the match and ended in 4 days. It was a lot more entertaining than the Pak-SL match in Abu Dhabi.

The cricket community as a whole needs to be more willing to change. Kerry Packer introduced colour clothing. Imagine the hoopla that would have created back in the day.
 
You could see a lot of draws the way wickets are getting flatter by the day world wide. But there are also exciting aspects to this idea. Captains will have to be more pro-active.

It would force the captains to either declare after 350 or bat quickly. Asian teams will have to adjust then or they will play out a lot of draws.
 
Michael Vaughan: Four-day Test matches are worth a try to rejuvenate format

Shortening Test matches to four days is "worth a try" to "rejuvenate" the format, says former England captain Michael Vaughan.

England are close to an agreement to play a four-day Test against Ireland at Lord's next summer before the Ashes.

The International Cricket Council approved a trial of four-day Tests in October, up until the 2019 World Cup.

"I love five-day cricket but it's worth trying, anything to rejuvenate Test match cricket," said Vaughan.

England were beaten by Pakistan early on day four of the first Test at Lord's before the hosts secured victory by an innings and 55 runs inside three days in the second Test at Headingley to draw the series.

"Early in the season in England, when we pretty much know the wickets are going to be quite juicy, I'd be trialling four-day Tests," Vaughan said on The Tuffers and Vaughan Cricket Show.

"I just want to see how it would work, it might be a disaster and I wouldn't want to see it every single week, but we certainly need to try it."

Vaughan suggested four-day Tests should consist of 96 overs per day - six more than usual.

South Africa thrashed Zimbabwe inside two days in the inaugural four-day Test in December, which was also a day-night game that saw play scheduled to last for six-and-a-half hours - 30 minutes more than in five-day Tests - with 98 overs to be bowled each day.

"There has to be a way of getting those overs in, you can't just allow the game to meander along like it is now," Vaughan added.

"Maybe the game might have to give up a little bit of the sponsorship and commerciality around drinks breaks, to quicken up the process."

Vaughan said it would be "simpler" for fans to understand if Test matches were scheduled to always start on a Thursday and end on a Sunday.

He added the introduction of the World Test Championship will give captains the incentive to be "creative" to try to force positive results if four-day Tests are shortened due to rain.

The new competition, which starts with the 2019 Ashes, will see nine teams play six series of Test matches over a two-year period - three at home and three away - before the two teams with the most points contest the final in England in June 2021.

The ICC has proposed points will only be awarded for each match and not a series win to ensure every Test counts, while a draw will see each side only awarded a third of the yet-to-be determined points total for a win.

"Test match cricket has been on the decline for many years, that's been a worldwide problem, although not particularly here in the UK, but give it a try and see how it goes," said Vaughan.

"People said day-night Tests would be ridiculous, that they would finish in two days, but they've been a great spectacle and worked in the right parts of the world."

There have been nine men's and one women's day-night Test matches to date following the inaugural match between New Zealand and Australia at Adelaide in 2015.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/44364569
 
NO, NO, NO .........................NOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Every Asian team should oppose it with full force. This is basically to kill spinners from the game. Poms best spinner are there for their batting, therefore obviously they would like to have Test matches played on green, hard tops which doesn't break in 4 days and they'll pick 3 pacers & 3 bits & pieces to share the work load.

Days doesn't matter, a lot of Tests finish inside 4, even 3 days - but Test match must be scheduled for 5 days. Poms can play their home Tests for 4 days, against teams that are willing.
 
Not with current roads that we have.Should be made D/N on sporting wickets with the swinging pink ball which could bring in some balance.
 
It won't be long until more 4 day tests are trialled like the South Africans did. England will consider it for sure - think there were plans to play a 4 day test vs Ireland next summer. Wouldn't be surprised if there comes a point where we have 4 day and 5 day tests taking place at the same time in different parts of the world much like red and pink ball tests.
 
NO, NO, NO .........................NOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Every Asian team should oppose it with full force. This is basically to kill spinners from the game. Poms best spinner are there for their batting, therefore obviously they would like to have Test matches played on green, hard tops which doesn't break in 4 days and they'll pick 3 pacers & 3 bits & pieces to share the work load.

Days doesn't matter, a lot of Tests finish inside 4, even 3 days - but Test match must be scheduled for 5 days. Poms can play their home Tests for 4 days, against teams that are willing.

Agree 100%
 
NO, NO, NO .........................NOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Every Asian team should oppose it with full force. This is basically to kill spinners from the game. Poms best spinner are there for their batting, therefore obviously they would like to have Test matches played on green, hard tops which doesn't break in 4 days and they'll pick 3 pacers & 3 bits & pieces to share the work load.

Days doesn't matter, a lot of Tests finish inside 4, even 3 days - but Test match must be scheduled for 5 days. Poms can play their home Tests for 4 days, against teams that are willing.

I think this is driven by the CCCs. They don’t want tests in England to end in three or four days and have no bottoms on seats for the last day.

Compare to last century when there were many draws and most test went to the last day.

Loss of potential revenue for the Counties.....

Poms’ best spinner just happens to be an all-rounder by the way.
 
I think this is driven by the CCCs. They don’t want tests in England to end in three or four days and have no bottoms on seats for the last day.

Compare to last century when there were many draws and most test went to the last day.

Loss of potential revenue for the Counties.....

Poms’ best spinner just happens to be an all-rounder by the way.

I agree, no offense. My post wasn't targeting ECB or English cricket or English spinners, rather someone trying to sell the idea why Test matches should run for 4 days. And, obviously the thought process that suggests picking Shadab or Nawaz instead of Yasir, because Shadab has potential to average 35 with bat & Nawaz in dreams is averaging 30 with bat ... compared to Yasir's 15.

In UK summer, you can play even 110+ overs/day - net, net that's 450 overs in 4 days, including 60 minutes additional for time make up. In South Asia, we are struggling to find 6.5 hours/day for most part of our season, and D/N cricket isn't a feasible solution in near future (because of heavy winter dew, fog & cricket Boards are not rich enough to invest couple of billion bucks to build 5-6 indoor stadiums like they do in USA for their baseball, eggball game).

Here we'll have to play cricket in winter & in open stadiums - 4 day schedule will kill the little interest left in Test cricket here, because from ball one visiting teams will play to pass time & get away with a draw in 350 overs Test - in between, only if sometimes they get the home side on mat, they'll play positively.... few seasons back SAF took 144 overs to score 143 at Delhi!!!!!! Playing on under prepared mine fields isn't the solution either to force a result in 4 days.
 
I would rather have it return to older days of 6 days tests including rest day.
 
What happens when it rains, say for even half a day? You can recover in a 5 day test but it becomes impossible in 4 days.

What happens if both teams manage first big innings scores? Everyone will know the match is heading towards a draw simply because there's no time.

If the issue is forced and every wicket is designed to end the match within 4 days, the game will lose its balance.

Great!

Play on Uncovered Pitches again like the first 60 years of Test cricket. Rain speeds up the game on uncovered pitches!

We actually need more draws, not fewer. Currently it's hard to stay competitive in alien touring conditions.

I'd be very happy with the following 3 day drawn Test on an Aussie Day/Night greentop, or an Indian square-turner.

Day 1
Home Team 205 all out
Tourists 40-3

Day 2
Tourists 210 all out
Home Team 50-5

Day 3
Home Team 175 all out
Tourists 160-8 chasing 171 to win when time runs out.

Match Drawn

What's wrong with that match?
 
I would rather have it return to older days of 6 days tests including rest day.

I'd have to agree with this. When injuries are ruining the ability of teams to get their best players out on the pitch, let's burden the players even more and make them play out even more overs per day? The purists are sick of the destruction of the traditional game, alienating them and expecting newcomers to be interested in a game they don't like or understand that still lasts four whole days is just absurd, it'll be the end of test cricket altogether, nobody will watch it. The ICC need to understand that test cricket is not a global game for the masses, there's no need to turn it into baseball for the Commonwealth. What next, gloves for the fielders, chucking allowed and players running in a square with 1/4 runs?
 
Absolutely 4 days with 20 overs in a day only , just like Golf (a Gentleman's Game).

Only FTB and hacks allowed to play with Gully standurd techniques from IPL/PSL/AFghan/China league
 
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