Pace of play in Tests is abysmal: Chappell concerned about 'endangered' format

Listen to Story Former Australia captain Ian Chappell has lashed out at the state of play of Test cricket, calling it an endangered species. Writing in his column for ESPNcricinfo, Chappell opined that it’s no secret that Test cricket is endangered, adding that administrators have been enamoured by the popularity of T20 cricket.

Cricket boards across the world have shifted their focus from the longest format of the game to T20 cricket which has been evident with the recent scheduling of franchise leagues. “It is no secret that Test cricket is an endangered species. Administrators are enamoured of T20's popularity and its huge financial rewards; there has been a world wide explosion of T20 leagues and now players are signing long term contracts with major T20 franchises,” Chappell wrote.

He went on to say that the pace of play in Test cricket is abysmal. The popularity of Test cricket has fallen in recent years with many teams opting to play two match Test series, which is the minimum requirement for a bi lateral series. “The pace of play in Test cricket is abysmal. It's slowing every day and nothing is being done to improve matters.

On the one hand, Ben Stokes genuinely strives to improve the entertainment quotient of Test cricket but he is being undermined by the administrators' lack of initiative,” Chappell added. Chappell also hit out at overtime in Test cricket, calling it the most boring aspect of the game. Slow over rate has become one of the prime reasons for overtime in Test cricket.

“When was the last time the stipulated minimum number of overs were completed in the regular time allocated for a Test day's play? Six hours of cricket is ample for players, the fans, the viewers and administrators. Everything should be done to avoid the game enduring overtime. Overtime is one of the more boring aspects of cricket,” Chappell wrote..