The longest form of cricket may just get a bit shorter. In a bid to give it a makeover, the International Cricket Council is exploring the possibility of reducing Test cricket to four days, ICC president David Morgan said.
The suggestion comes in the wake of many other plans — such as two-tier format, segregating stronger teams from the weaker ones, and day-night matches — the apex body has come up with to revive the game's marquee form.
"Another thought that many people have, that we are examining is whether Test match cricket can be played over four days rather than five. I would be very surprised if within a year you haven't seen some significant changes in Test match cricket," Morgan said in an interview with India Today..
On the issue of the colour of the ball in day-night Test cricket, Morgan said it should be compatible with the traditional white clothing.
"We need better over-rates, better pitches that give a good balance between bat and ball and we need to consider day-night Test cricket.
"There is great support for it; the issue is the colour of the ball and the quality of the ball. It would be a pity if Test match cricket — day-night — had to be played with a white ball and therefore coloured clothing.
"We are looking very closely at ball manufacturing design that replicates a red ball, maybe an orange ball, a ball that could still allow us to play in white clothing and still at night," Morgan said.
