Kmflett's Blog

I’ve been glancing at the third day of the final Test cricket summer at Edgbaston. It’s likely also to be the last day of the match.

In 2025 all five Tests against India went to the full five days. 2026 has been different, and not only because of the weather, although perhaps that is not entirely unrelated in terms of pitches.

Michael Atherton in The Times (Sept 8th) has looked at some statistics. He quotes the statistician Benedict Bermange.

Prior to the last Test of 2026 there have been an average of 1,470 balls per Test. The next comparison is 1854 with 1,434 balls and then 1912 1,248 balls. By contrast the India series of 2025 had an average of 2,080 balls.

There are various explanations for a trend to shorter Tests. The influence of short form cricket, DRS reviews meaning more decisions are given as ‘out’. Atherton also quotes Joe Root on the 2026 Dukes ball.

Of course Atherton was a batter and its been summer for fast and seam bowlers (and not spinners).

Back in the day of Gentlemen v Players it was the job of bowlers (Players) to bowl to batters (Gentlemen) so they could score runs. 2026 sees the revenge of history