In a bid to promote Test cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been recommended by the ICC cricket committee to have a minimum of three Tests in every World Test Championship (WTC) series. According to a report in the Times of India on Tuesday (October 22), the cricket’s top body received suggestions from the former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly-led committee at the board meeting in Dubai.
“Some countries like South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka mostly play just two Test series. Only India, England, and Australia play long Test series. That doesn’t help in promoting Test cricket, and the point distribution becomes very unfair. The recommendations are targeted at wiping out such disparities,” an ICC source was quoted as saying by TOI.
The committee also wants the host nations to try and accommodate more day-night Test matches when they are drawing fixtures for the home season in the next cycle.
“The ICC committee feels the pink-ball Tests have brought more people into the stadiums. Recently, one saw very poor turnouts in Pakistan. The three pink-ball Tests in India sold more tickets than usual. Test-playing nations must be encouraged to schedule more pink-ball Tests,” the source added.
India isn’t a big fan of day-night Test and hasn’t played a pink ball Test since March 2022. At present, the day-night Tests are played on a regular basis only in Australia, and India will face the Baggy Greens in the pink ball match at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10, 2024.
Apart from Ganguly, former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene, South Africa’s Shaun Pollock, New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori, the West Indies’ Roger Harper, and India’s VVS Laxman are part of the ICC cricket committee in addition to soon-to-be ICC chairman Jay Shah.
To popularise the ODIs, the committee has suggested to use the two new balls only for the first 25 overs, and after that only one ball will be used.
“The recommendations will be sent to the captains. A consensus must be achieved on this. But this looks the best option to bring reverse swing and finger spinners back into the game,” the source said.
In another major development, the ICC board has decided to change the tenure of ICC chairman and independent director to two terms of three years from two-year tenures.
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