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ICC mulls four-day Tests to revive format, counter Twenty20 threat
From correspondents in New Delhi, India
July 02, 2009
The International Cricket Council is considering the option of shortening Test matches from five days to four in a bid to revamp the game's traditional format.
“I would be very surprised if within a year you haven't seen some significant changes in Test match cricket.”
– David Morgan
The ICC president wants to see Test cricket become more exciting The five-day game faces stiff competition from Twenty20 cricket, the growing popularity of which is reflected in the success of the Indian Premier League and the recent World Twenty20 in England.
ICC president David Morgan said that Test cricket had to be made "more exciting".
"The board of the ICC is determined to ensure that Test match cricket is seen as the pinnacle of our great game," Morgan was quoted as saying by India Today magazine.
"Another thought... 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 also said the ICC was considering having day-night Tests with coloured balls.
"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," he said.
"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."
A two-tier Test structure was recently mooted by Dave Richardson, the ICC general manager, to divide the stronger and weaker teams and make the format more competitive.
Agence France-Presse
what a ridiculously stupid decision a) more likely of a draw b) doesn't make it any less exciting c) pitch won't come into it as much etc
From correspondents in New Delhi, India
July 02, 2009
The International Cricket Council is considering the option of shortening Test matches from five days to four in a bid to revamp the game's traditional format.
“I would be very surprised if within a year you haven't seen some significant changes in Test match cricket.”
– David Morgan
The ICC president wants to see Test cricket become more exciting The five-day game faces stiff competition from Twenty20 cricket, the growing popularity of which is reflected in the success of the Indian Premier League and the recent World Twenty20 in England.
ICC president David Morgan said that Test cricket had to be made "more exciting".
"The board of the ICC is determined to ensure that Test match cricket is seen as the pinnacle of our great game," Morgan was quoted as saying by India Today magazine.
"Another thought... 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 also said the ICC was considering having day-night Tests with coloured balls.
"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," he said.
"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."
A two-tier Test structure was recently mooted by Dave Richardson, the ICC general manager, to divide the stronger and weaker teams and make the format more competitive.
Agence France-Presse
what a ridiculously stupid decision a) more likely of a draw b) doesn't make it any less exciting c) pitch won't come into it as much etc
but it's a stupid idea!!! it will just result in more draws. 
