Michael Vaughan Feels ICC took Right Step to Save Test Cricket

Oct 15, 2017 at 9:07 PM

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Michael Vaughan Feels ICC took Right Step to Save Test Cricket

With aggressive style from batsmen added much into Test cricket, the former England skipper Michael Vaughan believes the world cricket body International Cricket Council (ICC), has infused a new life in the traditional format of the gentleman’s game with the approval of Test championship.

“Test cricket has been in decline for years and the move to a Test championship is a move in the right direction,” Vaughan wrote in his exclusive column for the Daily Telegraph.

Interestingly, according to the new formulation from the ICC itself which was eventually revealed during the meeting by Board’s chief executive Dave Richardson in Auckland earlier this week after the proposal of Test Championship failed in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

“Test cricket is still the greatest format but we have to do everything we can to make sure it is relevant in 50 years time. This is a step in the right direction,” Vaughan remarked.

Test Championship, Michael Vaughan, ICC, Four-day Test,
Vaughan reveals four-day Test cricket has a lot on offer. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The series will further get exciting for the competitive teams, as regular fixtures will add to its significance before the final of the championship will be played between two Test-best sides at iconic Lord’s cricket ground.

“It will add relevance and meaning to every game and series,” Vaughan asserted.

The 42-year-old Manchester-born Vaughan, who back four-day cricket, further revealed the championship would save the five-day format which has somehow failed to attract the decent crowd in the contemporary cricket.

“I like the idea of trialing four-day cricket and I have no doubt in the future the league will be based on four days,” Vaughan said.

Moreover, Test cricket seemingly has been in jeopardy with one such latest example from recently-concluded Pakistan-Sri Lanka two-match Test series in the United Arab Emirates which hardly witnessed any crowd throughout the fixtures.’

“Administrators know Test cricket is on the decline. There are a lot of people against change in cricket but they have to understand cricket is a business,” Vaughan added.

Test Championship, Michael Vaughan, ICC, Four-day Test,
The ICC chief executive also revealed about the approval of ICC ODI Championship. Photo Credit: AP.

The broadcasting giants have subsequently availed the rights from time-to-time for the live telecast, is further reportedly said to have been somewhat still gaining in one such format.

“Test cricket costs a huge amount of money to put on. Broadcasters have to be kept interested in the format. If they lose interest, it is dead,” Vaughan further added.

Test Championship, Michael Vaughan, ICC, Four-day Test,
After making his international debut in 1999, Vaughan played 86 ODIs in which he scored 1,982 runs at an average of 27.15. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Vaughan opined the Test cricket should be streamlined as the set-up would leave a significant impact on the multiple broadcasters shortly.

“Traditionalists will say Test cricket should not be about money,” Vaughan pointed out.

Concurrently, the traditional five-match Ashes have been of interest for the die-hard fans from the United Kingdom and Australia respectively.

Test cricket needs a story or narrative and it doesn’t happen apart from the odd big series. This will give it that narrative and add value for the broadcasters,” Vaughan wrote.

Test Championship, Michael Vaughan, ICC, Four-day Test,
Vaughan played 82 Tests for the Three Lions in which he scored 5,719 runs at an average of 41.44. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

In the contemporary cricket, the professional Twenty20 leagues have had enjoyed the major chunk of success other than the three international formats.

Vaughan added his national side England has a massive chance to qualify during the two-year cycle as one of the teams for the final with the championship kicking off after 2019 World Cup, adding the 5th day has its great relevance over the past many decades that further sprung many surprises.

Vaughan in his concluded remark stated the four-day Test would further have great things on an offer which would further witness the ideal situation for the respective players in the cramped-up calendar year.

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