Throughout this Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, there has been much conversation about the future of the long-format of the game.
Whilst attendance and watch figures here in Australia have piqued interest this summer the global impact of Test cricket still needs to be improved.
What Australia and India have proved is that a formula can be set to ensure that the prestige of cricket can be preserved and entertained. Some steps have already been taken and others the ICC can consider putting the longevity debate of Test cricket on the back-burner.
Rework the World Test Championship
Fundamentally the idea of the World Test Championship is brilliant as it gives meaning beyond the traditional fixtures played such as the Ashes. Keeping it is a necessity; the competition will build history and tradition over time as will the focus on it from sides.
However, as the WTC is in its infancy, it should be tweaked to ensure it is fairer and relevant to a wider fan-base. The final shouldn’t always be played in England. A rotation system between member nations (even if it is just the bigger nations) could be applied to ensure a global audience.
The other adjustment is the number of matches. I understand there is a greater demand for teams from India, England, and Australia to play. That being said South Africa only played 15 Tests between 2021-2023 compared to England’s 22.
The finalists are determined by a percentage of total points scored so I believe we need to ensure most nations play within three Tests of each other.
Let the rivalries flourish
When nations with history clash the crowd follows. Australia and India have been heavily contentious over the last few series and this series has reached record figures, even to the point where the Ashes has taken a back seat in terms of viewership and crowd levels.
Eighty-six million viewers throughout the first four Test matches is beyond impressive. So, let’s ensure the biggest of the series are advertised on a global scale.
I’d also love to see India play Pakistan in Test matches. Neutral venues would be an obvious decision, but fans will make a pilgrimage for such a worthy contest. Not every series has to be record-breaking but the greater awareness of Test cricket the more opportunities to build a loyal fan-base.
Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli celebrate with teammates after dismissing Usman Khawaja. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Personalities get people talking
If I were to say the name Stuart Broad to Australian cricket fans resentment still exists from the infamous no-walk incident off Ashton Agar all those years ago. Sam Konstas and Virat Kohli have made cricket reach fever pitch across their respective nations.
Kwena Mapaka could potentially become the youngest South African Test debutant as he is not even 18 yet. These stories and the creation of world-famous personalities need to be encouraged and embraced by the ICC.
Media outlets already do their part but advertising the Sydney Test globally as Konstas versus Kohli – the finale would’ve gotten more people talking and watching.
I’m not claiming the aforementioned will solve Test cricket’s issue. The younger generation needs fast-paced entertainment to see the sport as worthy. Those who have grown up with the format love it and that is why getting those impressionable cricketers through the gates to our Test matches is critical.
Test cricket won’t disappear but seeing the best of the sport recently creates a desire to shape it into a sustainable future. Any improvement is progress and against the big-budget T20 competitions, I think most cricket fans agree there is a place for our legacy format.
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