London: Incoming England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Colin Graves confirmed yesterday that he is considering tabling proposals to shorten Test matches from five days to four.
Graves has suggested playing 105 overs-per-day, instead of the current 90 overs-per-day, which would mean that the matches are 30 overs shorter than their current form.
“Personally, I think we should look at four-day Test cricket and play 105 overs a day starting at 10.30am in the morning, and finish when you finish as all the grounds now have lights,” Graves, who takes up his role in May, told the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) website.
The ECB could not itself introduce four-day Test matches, but it could push for changes to the Test format in international negotiations.
Expanding on the idea, Graves added: “Every Test match would start on a Thursday, with Thursday and Friday being corporate days and then Saturday and Sunday the family days.
“From a cost point of view, you’d lose that fifth day, which would save a hell of a lot of money from the ground’s point of view and the broadcasters. I would look at that.”
The proposals first came to light earlier this year after an ECB document entitled ‘Strategy Conversation Summary’ was leaked. The International Cricket Council will need to accept any changes before they come into effect.
Reacting to the leak, the ECB revealed that it was “in the early stages of formulating a long-term strategy for the game in England and Wales, which we anticipate will take a year to complete”.
Graves and new ECB chief executive Tom Harrison have also held initial talks about future proposals for the English county championship and a possible ‘English Premier League’ Twenty20 competition.
The new chairman has been high-profile over the winter months, particularly after his indication that there may yet be a way back into Test cricket for Kevin Pietersen - sacked last year after England’s Ashes whitewash in Australia.
He has the structure of Test cricket in his sights too, setting out his suggestions for the pinnacle format in this country.
