Kmflett's Blog

Once again on 5 day Test Matches

As cricket fans could hardly have missed cricket in 2019 and beyond is all about playing more and more games. These are designed to make money to keep the game going so more games can be played and so on.

The end of the year sees fresh pressure to reduce Test Matches from 5 to 4 days. Michael Vaughan writing in (obviously) the Telegraph argues that most Tests now end in 4 days (except for those that don’t due to rain etc) and the most recent stats (for the last two years) do show a significant increase in Tests ending before the 5^th day.

Vaughan argues that money is wasted on the 5^th day that could be reinvested in promoting the sport. It seems an obvious point but I doubt the relationship is anything like as simple as that.

Vaughan also argues that Test matches need a new audience. Not in England they don’t where they invariably sell out. But elsewhere for a variety of reasons that is true. He writes

We always have to remember that cricket is an entertainment business. At the minute the white-ball game has overtaken Test cricket. Apart from those of us who already love Test cricket, I don’t think Test cricket has done enough to reach a new audience. So we need to make it more relevant and more appealing. It might just bring a little more relevance if it gets shortened.

The longer term logic of course is to scrap Tests altogether and rely on the one or less than one day format.

A separate Telegraph report notes that the ICC plan to consult on moving to 4 day Tests in 2020 and to agree it in 2023. The report suggests that any decision could be 50.50 but that England back it to ease fixture congestion. Obviously what everyone wants is more and more England international matches…..

Personally I think that if a stop to this commercially driven mania is not made cricket will eat itself before long and nothing like the traditional game will exist at all.