Head and Wagner back five-day Tests as ICC pushes four-dayers

Even more concerning is the proposal by the big 3, Aus, Ind and Eng to run there own annual series rotating between themselves but inviting on an annual basis one other country. What?... Are you all getting tired of being beaten by South Africa?

It will be contrived, but a lot of sport is becoming more a 'reality TV' production than a genuine contest. Just look at the development of League where refs are encouraged to ignore breaking of rules to enhance the spectacle.

Getting in the right amount of overs is a big problem with the concept and one of the areas that some of the supporters are looking to answer.

There are lots of problems with it. But the media people and boards want money and people engaged and they think this will do it.

I don't like the concept, I just see something like this happening, its on the way. You can't have 4 day test format without limiting the time some team can bat first, hence there will very defensive fields up front. It's not a good option for cricket IMO, but the 4 Day push is definitely on, so look out and speak up against it.

I doubt I'll be here either mate, but something like this is on the way.

With 100 or 105 overs a day, they will have to use slower bowlers to get through the overs. Fines and suspensions for slow over rates have been in effect for some time now but they are insufficient and it is not working. When they set the bar at 90 overs, they set it too low. I go back to my original point - if the players want to keep 5 day test matches then they need to lift the over rate or the consequences will be 4 day test matches. It is up to the players.

I think your right, but more for the economic reasons. It's a business nowadays.

Already limited attention spans are probably only going to reduce further. I fear we will have to wear this concept ultimately.

Fifth day is rarely on a weekend so numbers are understandably going to be down. They need to heavily fine or suspend captains for over rates. Nothing else will work and it may see the rise of spinners as a handy unexpected outcome.

spot on about the over rates DTM. I recall Ian Smith saying at one stage Australia were going at a bit more than 11 overs an hour last Test, which is poor. The bowling might have been high class but this aspect of it was not.

At one stage in this last Test, Australia were bowling at under 12 overs an hour, which means they'd take close to 9 hours to get through 100 overs. If any games were played in winter time anywhere, eg Darwin or the sub-continent, I'm guessing you'd have to start no later than 8.30am to guarantee enough time for the overs, IF 100 overs is what's being suggested.

Must admit I hadn’t heard of this proposal, which sounds very unlikely. I have heard that they are talking about having longer days to make it effectively 4 1/2 days, which would mean 100 plus overs/day. That is better than four days of 90 overs but still problematic - not much leeway if time lost to weather, plus in the sub-continent where Tests are played in the ‘winter’ months, the days might be too short to fit in 100 overs in good light.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/50958450 The ecb have already given their support for the proposed 4 day format. https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/australia/fourday-test-matches-cricket-australia-will-seriously-consider-it/news-story/97605a6a0734e7fd597405b4114cde2f While CA are also considering it.

If the players really want to retain 5 day test matches, they need to take action on their over rates - this is a big disgrace and the ICC is doing nothing about it. All of the days in the last two test matches, both teams have used up their extra 30 minutes to bowl the minimum number of overs in a day. So that means we are getting about 13 overs per hour. This is not enough and the players are at fault - yes, the umpires and match referees should police this more but ultimately it comes down to the players. There is no reason we cant get 100 or 105 overs in 6 and half hours of cricket. Fifth day attendance records would be interesting to note - perhaps someone with the enthusiasm for it can do a comparison of the fifth day to the first day of the same test - eg 20,000 first day, 5,000 fifth day = 25%. I suspect it will be closer to 10%.

Exactly Gomez. As those players comments alluded to, the 5th day is often vital for an exciting conclusion, with wear & tear of the pitch, and weather intervening, losing time. Are they going to allocate a reserve 5th day incase of major weather interference?

Did not the matches in the last ashes series go down to the fifth day? There would have been no result in most of the matches if the 5th day was not played. The move to 4 day tests would ruin the format.

Basically what you’re inferring is a contrived situation DP, not dissimilar to an ODI or T20 game, where each side has a set period to bat & bowl. One of the beauties about long form games is the unknown before the game starts – how long will sides have to bowl or bat? As others have suggested, if 4 day Tests become the norm, we’ll see lots of days similar to those when Australia batted against the Black Caps with really defensive fields and bowlers waiting for a mistake, IMO. Maybe teams might try and get wickets early on, but in the main, they’ll bowl defensively, aiming to contain, with ultra defensive fields, especially in places like Australia where the bat tends to dominate the ball.

DP. if it ever comes to that they will have lost me. Might not be around to see it thank goodness.

I really hope they don't introduce 4 day tests. It will mess up all of the demographics for player stats for one thing. It will also cause more lack of interest in test cricket, as the die hard fans will not take it well. What in the bladdy hell are they thinking ??