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Recently concluded India v/s England Test series kept everyone on the edge of their seats, with all 5 matches going down to the wire. Each match went on till day 5. This series will probably calm the debate surrounding whether the Test format should move towards 4 days of cricket. The thrill, the romance, the ebbs and flows that the 5-day format gives will be tough to serve in 4 days. The so-called pundits of the game who are desperate to conclude that the test format is dying are looking for a hiding place. But this is just one side of the coin. Now let’s look at the other side.
On the one hand, the Test series in England attracted millions of eyeballs; on the other side, the NZ v/s Zimbabwe Test series struggled to catch the imagination of even the die-hard test cricket fans. Let alone following it, many didn’t even know that such a series was in progress. Reason – Obviously, the quality of the product matters. People want to see a hard-fought, competitive, nail-biting contest. If test-playing nations can serve this, there is absolutely no doubt that Test cricket is still and will always be the pinnacle and most sought-after format. Instead of looking to tweak the test format, administrators should focus on how to improve the quality of the product. Teams like Zimbabwe, Ireland, Afghanistan, and even the West Indies will not improve in the multi-day format until they play quality opposition regularly. I mean, you can’t score runs and take wickets from your drawing rooms, you’ve got to get out on the park, and that too regularly.
Solutions – One is definitely funding from ICC, and also the Top 5 test-playing nations need to lend their support in more than one way. With top teams avoiding to tour bottom ranked teams for obvious reasons and are valid too, can we put a system in place where instead of the main team A teams from India, England, Australia, South Africa, NZ tours regularly to Zim, Ireland, Afghanistan, West Indies or a team of top performers of the domestic competitions from top ranked teams can travel to play against these countries. In this way, lower-ranked teams will get to play regularly, and also the top performers of the domestic competitions can be rewarded. If teams like Zimbabwe and others want to improve the quality of the cricket they play, they need to get more exposure. The top countries can invite the lower-ranked teams to play against their A teams. ICC needs to play an active role in this; they should create a separate fund for the development of these test-playing nations. Yes, ICC is investing at the grassroots level and also in bringing new nations to play cricket, but ICC needs to prioritise improving the standard of the test format of the countries currently enjoying the test status.
Another solution could be to allow the players from Zimbabwe, Ireland, the West Indies, and Afghanistan to participate in the domestic competitions of the top-ranked nations. Through these players will get exposure to different surfaces, conditions, and will also have access to different coaches and facilities. When they play with and against different sets of players, there will be an exchange of ideas too, which is pretty evident amongst the players participating in IPL.
One more option that can be figured out is that the winner of the Ranji Trophy, Sheffield Shield, etc., shall tour and play against these teams, so both parties get the required exposure and also serve as a reward for the domestic performers.
Costing, funding, feasibility, etc., all these are one thing which can be figured out, but the main thing that is required is the willingness. Can we give Test cricket back what it deserves. Imagine 6-7 countries giving cutthroat competition to each other. There can’t be a better thing than Test Cricket, which is well and truly alive; it just needs a bit of willingness.1