Bat and ball / Frank Gregan / 28 November 2011 /

Apart from the English, no-one's watching the longest form of the game any more and delaying the World Test Championship until 2017 is a huge blow to five-day cricket, says Frank Gregan

History will reflect that this period in time determined the future of Test cricket. Cricket is at a crossroads, but those driving the bus are dithering, unsure what turn to take or whether to back up and start the journey all over again.

Cricket has risen from a humble media beginning to being a major box office attraction but it's not the Test game that the masses crave. Test crowds around the globe continue to fall (except in England where Test cricket is still considered a cracking excuse to throw a sickie) and the authorities are struggling to come up with a concept that will restore its appeal.

The much heralded World Test Championship was considered to be a suitable defibrillator for the mis-firing heart of the game but alas it has had to be postponed because of a conflict with television rights. "Not to worry" I hear your say, "these things happen, I'm sure they'll get it sorted and play the championship as soon as they can:" They have, it will be played in 2017, yep you heard that right, it won't get under way for another six years.

By that time a whole generation of teenagers who have grown into adults following T20 and one-dayers will continue to channel hop or hitting the snooze button when teams in white outfits take the field for a five day contest. Kevin Pietersen will have swapped his ear rings for a hearing aid and Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar will be entertaining their peers down at the old folks home with stories of their illustrious past.

Six years is a lifetime in sport, Test cricket could well have sign around its neck saying 'Do Not Resuscitate' by then. If it is to be saved (and it's a big if, there are many that believe that Test cricket is not worth saving, that the shorter versions are a natural evolution) then action has to be taken now.

The format will have to re-invent itself and sell a little of its soul to the devil. It has to have more generic appeal, that doesn't mean cheesy, smiley cheerleaders with two size 5 footballs down their tee-shirts, Test cricket has to be a meaningful competition with death and glory as the consequences. This column has covered the subject before but until Test cricket has a purpose, a winner and a loser that get their just rewards and don't just pack their bags and move on to the next event, then it won't recapture its former glories.

Those who doubt the product only have to look at the two recent Tests between the South Africans and Australia and the West Indies in India. The drama was immense, the cricket at times breathtaking and the result always up for grabs. It was international sport at its best, the only problem was, very few people watched it.

The TV companies aren't stupid. Dwindling crowds means a likely drop in viewing figures which in turn leads to a fall in advertising revenue. One lesson that the satellite broadcasters learned very early on was 'give them what they want to watch.' If the ruling bodies don't take positive, meaningful action then the Test format will meander down the path to obscurity.

The next Test match action is on Thursday when the Tasman rivals clash at the Gabba. Australia are [1.87] with the Kiwis [6.8] and the draw [3.1]. This is an old rivalry and one that throws up its share of shocks but the [1.87] available on the Aussies looks generous.

Last week I walked into the local for a beer with the 'one after work club' and announced that the World Test Championship had been postponed until 2017. Every member of the club is sport daft yet the reaction was one of "who cares?" That's Test cricket's greatest foe at the moment - apathy amongst its target demographic. The likelihood is that the sporting public will be even more apathetic in six years time!

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: