Test cricket is the most prestigious format in the history of the game. Every player wants to play Test cricket for their respective nations. The proudest moment for every cricketer is sporting the Test cap for the country.
This format since its inception brings the best out of any player. But, in the 21st century, it has been facing a challenge of existence due to cricket’s shortest format T20, and more especially franchise based T20 cricket around the globe, in which most of the youngsters want to play as the franchise based T20 will usher them with money.
The lure of money among the players is the biggest challenge for Test cricket. The five days game in the booming economy of India doesn’t have any importance as fans and spectators are busy with their works. So, sponsors and broadcasters are not interested in coping with the loss.
The T20 cricket mainly plays in the evening and takes only three hours so it embraces by the crazy entertainment lovers. But T20 doesn’t taste the skill, temperament, and patience of a cricketer. Test cricket is only for properly skilled and fit cricketers.
In 2001 the India vs Australia match at Eden Gardens had seen a full house every day but now every Test match plays there to watch by crow and birds in the stands and a few journalists in the press box.
In England, only retired people come to watch the match and in Australia holiday people come to watch so it proves the working people are not getting time to watch the game.
However, ICC already took an initiative to revive the game. The success of day-night Test in Australia encouraged ICC to carry on with further innovation to cope with the demand of the time.
ICC chief executive Dave Cameron on Wednesday revealed the plan to implement the league system to spice up the format.
Here are five ways to popularize the game