MCC plays down prospects of four-day Tests

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has cleared the air over the probability of four-day Tests in the near future. The MCC said that discussions surrounding the same have been in place for the 2023 Championship cycle. But it also stated that Test cricket should be played over five days.

The International Cricket Council (ICC), on the other hand, is in favour of trimming the most traditional format from five to four days for the 2023-2031 cycle. In a statement released on Tuesday, January 14, the MCC put forth their words on the prospects of four-day Tests.

“MCC has noted the recent discussion regarding the future of test cricket and the ICC’s desire to debate the introduction of four-day test cricket to replace the current five-day format in the World Test Championship from 2023,” the MCC was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

“The MCC Cricket committee and MCC World Cricket committee have recently discussed the issue and although they can see some benefits that four-day Test cricket could bring, both committees believe that Test cricket should continue to be played over five days,” the statement added.

Kohli and Philander against four-day Tests

MCC’s statement came after a number of international cricketers showed their reservations against tampering with Test cricket. Virat Kohli, the Delhi-born all-format Indian skipper, felt that amendments in Test cricket shouldn’t go beyond the Day-Night format. He stated so after India’s abandoned game against Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.

“I don’t endorse that at all, D/N Test is the most that should be changed about Test cricket according to me. I am purely only talking about getting the numbers in and the entertainment. The intent otherwise won’t be right. Then you’ll speak of three-day Tests, where do you end?” Kohli said.

“Then you will speak of Test cricket disappearing .. D/N Test is another step on commercializing Test cricket and creating excitement around it but it can’t be tinkered with too much,” he added. Even Vernon Philander, who announced his international retirement for South Africa, doesn’t reckon that Test cricket should be tampered with.

In the meantime, the MCC Cricket Committee is due to meet in Sri Lanka in March. Though the committee can’t frame laws, it can have discussions regarding the betterment of Test cricket.