Find a structured way to take over T20: Brian Lara urges ICC to save Test cricket cricket news

Acknowledging that T20 leagues have taken away a lot of Test cricket’s space, West Indies legend Brian Lara has appealed to the ICC to take steps to give a structure to the continued onslaught of franchise-based tournaments. In the latest example of the Test’s relevance being questioned, South Africa recently sent a less-strong team to New Zealand because their first-choice players were involved in the SA20 on home soil. “I think the ICC needs to put its heads together and find a way where franchise cricket moves forward, but in a very structured way and not in the context of the free fall that is going on at the moment,” Lara said in an interaction. With PTI editors at its headquarters, which was facilitated by Star Sports, where he is a commentator and expert for the ongoing IPL.

“I hope that clever thinkers will find a way to ensure that it (Test) remains relevant. I love the Test Championship and I think it is important to ensure that the game remains relevant.” So, is cricket now going the way of football where leagues are given priority over international action? Although Lara agreed on the issue in principle, he also found differences between the two models.

“Well, yes (cricket is going the way of football). Let’s look at football. For example, apart from the big cups – the European Cup, the World Cup, the South American Cup – they may have some friendly matches. So , Barcelona, ​​Manchester United, Manchester City, they usually have their footballers for 11 months of the year.

“It seems to be working for football. It also reduces the burden for each country to find ways to make money by organizing football matches,” Lara began.

But Lara said the accumulation of wealth between the three big countries – India, Australia and England – presents a different scenario in cricket.

“West Indies is now in a situation where our gate receipts cannot sustain us. So, whenever India tours the West Indies we are very grateful. There is a lot of TV rights money moving around which is very good. The thing is.

“So, outside the big three – Australia, England and India – it is hard to see how countries will survive when it is tough for them economically.” From a cricketing point of view, the left-hander said that often things become difficult for teams outside the big three due to teams not having their best players available.

Lara might have had someone like Trent Boult in mind as the fast bowler recently turned down a New Zealand central contract to become a T20 freelancer.

“Secondly, they (teams) don’t have their best players playing because their best players are earning a living for their families elsewhere (in leagues),” he said.

In March this year, the BCCI had launched a Test Cricket Incentive Scheme, an additional reward structure on top of the existing match fees, to ensure parity with match fees in other formats and leagues.

Lara welcomed the move but added that bringing spectators to the grounds is equally paramount to maintaining interest in the sport and sponsors.

“Giving incentives, or what the BCCI is doing because they have money, is one aspect of it. Of course, it is very good to remunerate the players to keep them interested in the game.

“But when you go to watch a Test match and there is no one there in that Test match, it is not encouraging. Try to bring them (the crowd) back into the field,” Lara said.

The Trinidadian said having the stadium packed to the rafters is also important from a sponsorship point of view.

“I’m sure you’ve experienced this in India, where a sponsor preferred to spend his money on three hours of cricket rather than five days of cricket. ‘Hey, you have five days to promote your product. Are.’ “The corporate person will say: ‘But there’s no one to promote it. Give me three hours. I will pay even more money.’ So, I think bringing back crowds is also something that needs to be discussed,” he explained.

While Lara has no doubt that the T20 edition meets the demands of the audience, he said the modern audience needs to be educated about the unique ups and downs of five-day cricket.

“Well, I hope that has not happened (the Test is not losing relevance). The shorter version of the game has been scrapped and it is entertainment and that is what people look for. We have told the current public about its importance. Have not been educated to bat in a session and not lose a single wicket.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)