CA chief Kevin Roberts in support of four-day Tests
Cricket Australia chief Kevin Roberts has said that he is open to the idea of trialling four-day Test matches. Roberts views 4-day Tests the best way to boost waning popularity of the longest format. The ICC had approved the concept last year and experimented with the same when South Africa played Zimbabwe. Here is more on the same.
Key information regarding four-day Tests
The Proteas played the inaugural four-day Test against Zimbabwe last December. They went on to win the match inside two days. The next four-day Test is scheduled to be played between England and Ireland at Lord's in July 2019. In a four-day game, a minimum of 98 overs needs to be bowled each day, as compared to the regulation 90 in a five-day game.
Roberts backs four-day Test matches
Roberts told commercial sports radio station SEN, "There's a bit to be said for it. It's certainly something we need to be open minded to down the track." He added that one should not make any conclusions as of now. "And I think the concept of four days going forward is something we need to be open to, without jumping to conclusions."
Aussies are known for their experimentaion
Australia could soon play a four-day Test and experiment with the new concept. The Aussies are known for their experimentation and hosted the first ever D/N Test against New Zealand back in 2015. They have played 4 D/N Tests and won each of them so far. With T20 cricket dominating the globe, we might see more 4-day Tests in the near future.
Kohli not a fan of four-day Tests
Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli had earlier expressed his views on the four-day format. The 30-year-old had dismissed the idea of compressing a five-day Test. "It's [Test cricket] the most beautiful format of the game. I don't even see it getting compressed to four days Definitely. It should not be tinkered with," Kohli had said back in September.
