England Moot Four-Day Tests, India Likely to Oppose Move
To keep interest levels alive in the longest format of cricket, England will be pushing for four-day Test matches. India may not tow England's line
Highlights
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England will moot Four-Day Test matches in future
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Recent Test matches have hardly gone the full distance
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ICC may discuss plans on June 27, India may object to 4-day Tests
At a time when Twenty20 cricket is capturing the imagination of the young fans across the world, England will suggest to the International Cricket Council to reduce the duration of Test matches to four days.
The ICC is already mulling a two-tier format to improve competition in Test matches and now England want more value for time spent by two of the main stake holders of the traditional game - event organisers and the paying public. ÂÂ
According to a report in the Daily Mail, UK, England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves has revealed that four-day Test matches could become a reality. The report says that the Indian cricket Board (BCCI) may not agree to the ECB idea.
The possibility of a four-day Test match is likely to be discussed at the ICC Board meeting in Edinburgh on June 27. The BCCI could be outnumbered by several cricket Boards expected to tow the England line.
A four-day Test match could mean stiffer over rates (15 overs an hour) and a 30-minute earlier start. The plan is to have 105 overs a day, instead of the current 90.
Three-day Tests vs hapless South Africa
India are set to play over a dozen Test matches at home in 2016-2017 and if the results against the last home series against South Africa - India won three-nil - is anything to go by, a four-day Test looks more appropriate.
On rank turners, India thrashed South Africa in Mohali and Nagpur. Both matches lasted three days. South Africa somehow managed to pull the fourth Test in Delhi to the fifth day but the writing was clear on the wall on Day 4 itself.
England's first two Tests against Sri Lanka this summer ended in three and four days, while none of last season's five Ashes games extended into the fifth.
Of the last 11 Tests in England, only one -- versus New Zealand at Lord's last year -- has gone the distance.
"I love Test cricket, but it's a worry when you look around the world and see diminishing numbers of spectators,' Graves told Daily Mail.
"If it were a business, we'd pull it to bits and re-do it. From what they've said, Australia would look at it, but it's not just about four-day games: it's about revitalising Test cricket. There are lots of questions to consider," Graves added.