Kevin Pietersen Opens Up On How To Revive Test Cricket
Published - 05 Mar 2020, 02:59 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:04 AM
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Former English flamboyant batsman, Kevin Pietersen has opened up on the suggestions—to revive Test cricket and popularize it among the masses the way it was in earlier times. Pietersen’s statements have come in a time when the English national side is set to tour to Sri Lanka.
Although Pietersen’s career was marred with controversies, he was a great player for England, especially in the longest format. Having played more than 100 Test matches for England, Pietersen has scored more than 8,000 runs in the format.
Pietersen has smashed 23 centuries and 35 half-centuries in Test cricket as his average read 47.3. He has also slammed a double-century in the extended format.
Kevin Pietersen Concerned Over Test Cricket’s Future:
“I was incredibly surprised to see how busy the stadiums were for the T20s because I just didn’t think the support for cricket in South Africa was that good.” Pietersen told Betway.
“But if it hadn’t have been for the Barmy Army, the grounds for the Test matches would have been empty so it came as a pleasant shock.
“That tells me that we have to try our hardest to get Test match cricket back to where it belongs. We’ve got to make sure that players are committed to Test match and that all the youngsters are wanting to play Test match cricket.”
The former England batsman Pietersen has a number of suggestions for how the ICC can preserve the longer format.
“It’s the role of the ICC to sort out ticket prices so that people can afford to come. The ICC have got a hell of a lot of money and so have lots of the boards.
“I think the players need to be paid a hell of a lot more, because the lure of the quick dollar in T20 cricket is attracting a lot of youngsters.
“If those youngsters can see that the best players in the world are being paid the most money to play Test match cricket then people might start changing their ambitions.”
England To Take On Sri Lanka From March 19:
The senior national English team will take on Sri Lanka in an upcoming two-match Test series.
The first Test of the series will be played from March 19 at Galle.
Also Read: VVS Laxman Explains How India Can Avoid Failure In Tests Down Under
