McCullum believes T20 cricket will take over Tests
What's the story
Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum believes Test cricket will not survive in the future because of the rising popularity of T20 leagues across the world. The 36-year-old thinks that the teams will not have the resources and will not be able to afford to play the five-day format of the sport. Test cricket is already facing dwindling TV viewership.
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What did McCullum say?
"I firmly believe that Test cricket won't be around in time, because there's only so many teams that can afford to play it," Brendon McCullum said.
Club culture
Franchise cricket will be the norm
Brendon McCullum, who is currently playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, thinks that T20 leagues will take over cricket in the future just like it happened in football. Club culture will become more popular where the players will first have to fulfil their commitments to their respective franchises. Further, Baz believes these franchises might not release them for Test cricket.
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Players might have to honor franchise contracts
"Long long-term, I see a T20 franchise as owning players, and I don't see them releasing those players to play for their nation in a Test match," McCullum said.
Enjoying life
McCullum has been a T20 globetrotter since retirement
McCullum retired from international cricket in 2016 and is the only Kiwi batsman who has scored a triple hundred in the five-day format of the game. He is also New Zealand's second highest run scorer in Test cricket. However, since his retirement, he has been a globetrotter playing for several T20 leagues across the globe.
Dwindling popularity
ICC is trying its best to save Test cricket
ICC is doing all it can to increase the popularity of Test cricket. From Day/Night Test to 4-day matches, it is trying its best to keep the format alive. Ireland and Afghanistan have also been granted 'Full Member' status, thus taking the number of Test playing nations to 12. Despite all their efforts, Test cricket's future still remains uncertain.