In order to encourage Test cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is advised by the ICC cricket committee to have a minimum of three Tests in every World Test Championship (WTC) series. As reported by the Times of India on Tuesday (22 October), the apex body of cricket has some suggestions for the committee headed by former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly which was made at the board meeting in Dubai.
“There are some countries like South Africa, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka which play just about mostly two Test series. Only India England and Australia have long Test series. This does not help in enhancing the profile of Test cricket and the point system becomes very lopsided. The recommendations focus on eliminating such anomalies,” an ICC source spoke to TOI.
The committee also wants the host nations to try and accommodate more day-night Test matches when they are drawing fixtures for the home season in the next cycle.
“The ICC committee feels the audiences have improved for the pink-ball Tests. They saw terrible crowds in Pakistan recently. India had three pink-ball Tests and all the tickets for it were sold out. Test playing nations should be motivated to have more pink-ball Test matches”. added the source.
India is not a big proponent of day-night Test and has not played pink balls Test matches since March 2022. Now, playing of day-night test matches is limited to Australia only and the next Test against the Baggy Greens will be in a pink ball Test match at the Adelaide Oval from 6 th -10 th December 2024.
Apart from Ganguly, the committee includes other members such as former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene, Shaun Pollock from South Africa, Daniel Vettori from New Zealand, Roger Harper from the West Indies, and VVS Laxman from India, apart from Jay Shah who will take up ICC chairmanship soon.
In order to enhance the popularity of the One Day Internationals, the committee has recommended the use of the two new balls strictly for the first 25 overs and only one ball thereafter.
“The suggestions will go along with the captains. There has to be agreement on this. But this seems the most logical way to reintroduce reverse swing and finger spinners into the fray,” added the source.
In another important change, the board of ICC has opted for extending the office of the chairman of ICC and the independent director for two terms of three years as opposed to two year terms.