Cricket Australia are open to the concept of four-day Tests and see the format as an “opportunity” outside the Test Championship that’s slated to begin after the 2019 World Cup, revealed CEO Kevin Roberts.
“There’s been timeless Tests over the years, we know there were even three-day Tests, so Test cricket has not been five days in duration forever, and I think the concept of four days going forward is something we need to be open to without jumping to conclusions,” he told SEN Radio on Saturday, December 15.
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“I think the concept of four days going forward is something we need to be open to”[/caption]
“The average duration of a Test match is just a shade over four days and certainly without jumping to conclusions that that is the right solution, it is one possibility we’ve got to be open to.”
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South Africa became the first country to host a four-day Test last year when they played against Zimbabwe in a one-off Test at Porth Elizabeth in December.
England will also host Ireland for a four-day fixture in ahead of the Ashes in 2019.
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Kevin Roberts took over from James Sutherland in October this year[/caption]
Australia are likely to host their first game of the four-day format against Afghanistan before they host India in December next year.
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“Outside the Test Championship, that’s the opportunity. The Test Championship is five-day Test cricket out to 2021, so that doesn’t change, but outside of that there are other possibilities to consider and beyond that, beyond 2021 what it might look like,” added Roberts, who replaced James Sunderland as the CEO of Cricket Australia in October.
“There’s a bit to be said for it isn’t there, and it’s certainly something I think we need to be open-minded to down the track.”
