Mike Gatting Opposes The Introduction Of Four-Day Test Matches

For some time now, the cricketing fraternity has been debating about the length of Test cricket. Considering that every format of the game is getting shorter with time, those in power are now pondering on the idea of introducing four-day Test matches.

In the current scheme of things, Test matches are of five days each.

However, in the past few years, the world has witnessed the growth of Twenty20 and even T10 cricket. This shows an obvious changing trend, where people increasingly favour shorter formats of the game.

From a viewer’s perspective as well, the decision to reduce the length of a Test match makes sense, given the decline in attendance in the stadiums whenever a Test match is played.

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Despite all this, various former legends of the game such as Sachin Tendulkar and Sri Lankan player Mahela Jayawardane have stood in the favour of keeping Test cricket as it as.

Even current Indian team skipper Virat Kohli feels the four-day Test matches should not be introduced.

Going by the trend, former England captain Mike Gatting too shared his thoughts on the matter.

The legendary cricketer feels that there is a better chance of getting results in five days as compared to the proposed idea of four-day Test matches.

Mike Gatting voices his opinion in favour of the current five-day format of Test matches:

Speaking at the launch of Tendulkar Middlesex Global Academy at DY Patil Sports Centre, the 62-year-old proposed not to alter the format of Test cricket.

He said, “Test cricket is unique, we keep saying it day in and day out. Sadly, it’s the administrators who don’t play, who understand that they have a problem in scheduling I suspect. Therefore, they don’t understand what a unique game Test cricket is.”

While the matter remains a big debate, it should be worth noting that any decision should be made keeping in mind the best interests of both the players and the fans.

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