The Cricket.

[Yarmbaggie]

Up front I don’t want to see Test cricket reduced to 5 days.

However the reasons given revolve around

Reducing players workload
The average Test match this century has lasted 318 overs and most are over with 4 days
Cricket outside of England and Australia, except the odd Tests are not well attended

For me though
1) if the cricket authorities free up some dates they will fill them with other matches such as their One Hundred competition. Surely on occasions when the matches finish within 4 days then that reduces the players workload
2) the product of Test cricket is exact that, a TEST and is the fabric of the game and needs protecting
3) bottom line the authorise see financial losses ( or missed opportunities) when day 5 is not used
4j Kiv all 5 Ashes tests this year went into day 5. Theoretically therefore all could have been drawn after 4 days and a 0-0 series, really exciting
5) test cricket fans understand the ebbs and flows of the game and that is what they enjoy. Start replacing that with lots of declarations or pitches more suited to bowlers then the game will not be what we like.

In summary for me, it is all about money no matter what they say. If the game isn’t seen as good enough to have 5 day tests then for me just cancel test cricket. What a shame that would be though for millions of people who can see past the immediate.

[Dubbag]

Up front I don’t want to see Test cricket reduced to 5 days.

However the reasons given revolve around

Reducing players workload
The average Test match this century has lasted 318 overs and most are over with 4 days
Cricket outside of England and Australia, except the odd Tests are not well attended

For me though
1) if the cricket authorities free up some dates they will fill them with other matches such as their One Hundred competition. Surely on occasions when the matches finish within 4 days then that reduces the players workload
2) the product of Test cricket is exact that, a TEST and is the fabric of the game and needs protecting
3) bottom line the authorise see financial losses ( or missed opportunities) when day 5 is not used
4j Kiv all 5 Ashes tests this year went into day 5. Theoretically therefore all could have been drawn after 4 days and a 0-0 series, really exciting
5) test cricket fans understand the ebbs and flows of the game and that is what they enjoy. Start replacing that with lots of declarations or pitches more suited to bowlers then the game will not be what we like.

In summary for me, it is all about money no matter what they say. If the game isn’t seen as good enough to have 5 day tests then for me just cancel test cricket. What a shame that would be though for millions of people who can see past the immediate.

Good post.
Thank you for the information.
Makes sense to me now.
Agree...5 day test should remain.