Four-day Test matches could become a reality if the International Cricket Council (ICC) accepts a proposal during its cricket and chief executives committee (CEC) meetings from March 27 to 31. The meetings are likely to be held in Dubai.
According to The Telegraph’s sources, the proposal had been discussed at previous ICC cricket committee meetings, but didn’t gather much steam because of a lack of consensus among the full members. But the situation could be different this time with Cricket Australia openly voicing their support for four-day Tests.
If accepted, the proposal will be part of World Test Championship’s next Future Tours Programme cycle for the eight-year period between 2023 and 2031.
“Many such changes are discussed during cricket committee meetings. However, please remember that any changes will also need to be passed in the CEC and Board meetings,” an ICC spokesman told this newspaper.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s stand on this issue is still unclear. “Let the proposal come first… We’ll see then,” said Board president Sourav Ganguly.
Another senior Board official was more forthcoming. “We will think about it when we cross the bridge. As of now there has been no discussion on this topic. But if we get more days in the cricket calendar that will benefit all countries,” he said.
Cricket Australia has already said they are “seriously” considering the proposal. “It is something that we have got to seriously consider,” Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts said last week. “It is something that can’t be driven by emotion, but it needs to be driven by fact. We need to look at what’s the average length of Test matches over the past five-ten years in terms of time and overs.”
The proposal will find opposition from the traditionalists. However, the positive aspect will be that it will open up the global cricketing calendar, already facing pressure for various tournament windows.
In 2019, 23 of the 39 Test matches ended in four or less days, implying that four-day Tests will make the format more attractive to sponsors.
Many also feel that four-day Tests will attract crowds when there are several technical issues involved with pink-ball matches. “Marketing is a very important aspect and four-day Tests will be commercially viable if matches begin, say on a Friday,” said a Board member.
The rules are already in place in the ICC playing conditions with 98 overs to be bowled each day. Also, a lead of 150 will be enough to enforce the follow-on.
The first four-day Test was held in Port Elizabeth in December 2017. South Africa defeated Zimbabwe by an innings and 120 runs in the Day-Night Test, which lasted two days.