6 traditional cricket rules ICC should look to change

2. The toss system in Test cricket

Time and again, we have been made to believe that toss can be a game decider. This often holds higher value in the longest format of the game. Even the best of the in-form player finds it hard to adapt to overseas conditions initially. Therefore, one of the most vital strategies is formulated way before the first delivery is bowled- the toss.

Let’s take the Indian pitches as an example. India is often associated with sporting a spinning track. It is a struggle for the touring team’s players to withstand the spin during the last days of the Test. Therefore, the team winning the toss chooses to bat first, more often than not. This might change in the English or certain Australian green top conditions where teams fielding first have won about 18% more games than they have lost.

To give the touring team some leverage and the fans an exciting game of cricket, the ICC should look into the traditional rule of flicking the coin in Test cricket. While the host teams enjoy the home advantages, as they should, the touring team should not be bound to the fortune of the coin. Therefore, doing away with the toss in Test cricket and giving the touring team, the option to bat or bowl first will increase the competitiveness over the five days.