CA boss Nick Hockley warns against four-day Test shift

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CA boss Nick Hockley warns against four-day Test shift

Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley has warned against a move to four-day Tests, fearing matches could become too predictable and easily ruined by rain.

The rapid nature of matches this decade has put the subject of four-day Tests back on the agenda, with final-day finishes growing even rarer in Australia.

Data last week showed that Tests are being completed quicker than at any point since the 1880s worldwide, with the average game now lasting less than 300 overs.

In Australia, the last two summers have also had the least ****** bowled per match of any since 1887-88, with only two Tests going to day five.

The issue has become a problem for broadcasters and Cricket Australia, with a loss in gate takings, catering fees and television ratings on days not played.

Cricket Australia explored the idea of shortened Tests late last decade, with a four-day match scheduled against Afghanistan before it was killed off by COVID.

But outgoing CA chief Hockley is less of a fan of the idea, warning that any heavy downpours such as the one at the Gabba on Saturday could kill off a contest.

“There are pros and cons,” Hockley said on SEN on Sunday.

“People have argued whether you could play Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday in subsequent weeks.

“But we’ve got to be very, very careful because if you get to a position where there’s a bit of rain around or it’s a slower match.

“Then you could get to a position where people are calling it’s going to be a draw really early on.”

Proponents of the idea point to the fact that four-day Tests could allow for more three-match series, which are now non-existent in series not featuring Australia, India and England.

But there is also a concern around the fact a far greater percentage of first-class matches end in draws than Tests, given they are regularly played over four days.

Hockley also pointed the fact that attrition is more of a factor in some countries, including Pakistan where 12 of 18 Tests have gone five days since cricket’s return to the country in 2019.

“We need to be continuing looking at it, but I think we need to be cautious about making a reactive decision based on a narrow data set,” Hockley said.

“You’ll see trends in the way teams and players play the game, and you’ll see variations around the length of Test matches around the world.

“Test cricket is a tradition, the ultimate test, and making sure that there’s ample time to really play out for the very best players in the world (is important).

“It’s something I think the ICC and members should continue to look at, but any decision should be with a really kind of long-term horizon and data set in mind.”

Hockley’s comments come after Pat Cummins also pushed for five-day Tests to remain when asked ahead of the Gabba Test.

“It’s a pretty good format … I always like five days,” Cummins said.

AVERAGE ****** PER TEST WORLDWIDE:

1870s: 1586

1880s: 1667

1890s: 1939

1900s: 1803

1910s: 1791

1920s: 2247

1930s: 2127

1940s: 2378

1950s: 2283

1960s: 2409

1970s: 2255

1980s: 1987

1990s: 2018

2000s: 1975

2010s: 1953

2020s: 1791

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