Concerns over Test Cricket’s Health Spark Push for Longer Series by Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley
Worried about the decline of Test cricket, Cricket Australia (CA) CEO Nick Hockley is advocating for a minimum of three matches per series in the World Test Championship (WTC). This comes amid growing concerns about scheduling conflicts and prioritizing domestic T20 leagues over international cricket.
CA CEO Nick Hockley called South Africa’s decision to send a weakened team to New Zealand a “wake-up call,” highlighting a “two-speed economy” in Test cricket where larger teams like Australia, England, and India dominate.
He believes a minimum three-match rule for WTC series is crucial to strengthen the format and ensure all nations prioritize international cricket, particularly Tests.
I do think there is work to be done on the FTP (Future Tours Programme) going forward, and it’s really about cementing the World Test Championship, ] really advocating for three-Test series as an absolute minimum.
“And then as best as we possibly can, making sure that [when it comes to] domestic T20 competitions, we minimise the overlap for those countries where it is an important source of revenue, so that every country is prioritising international – and particularly Test – cricket.”
The current two-match minimum allows shorter series like the upcoming West Indies vs. Australia and the potentially tied India vs. South Africa ones. The last three-Test series outside the “Big Three” was Pakistan’s tour of South Africa in 2018-19.
Hockley acknowledges the financial importance of domestic T20 leagues like South Africa’s SA20, which contributed to the canceled ODI series against Australia last season. However, he emphasizes the need to minimize T20 clashes with Test cricket, especially for nations where T20 revenue is vital.
Australia, known for prioritizing international cricket despite the Big Bash League, aims to collaborate with the ICC to prevent scheduling conflicts like South Africa’s New Zealand tour. Hockley believes finding the right balance between T20’s growth and Test cricket’s stability is crucial for the long-term health of the sport.
“The economics are the challenge,” stated Hockley, acknowledging the financial difficulties Test cricket faces beyond its traditional strongholds.
While acknowledging its thriving nature in places like Australia and England, he pointed out the “two-speed economy” within the sport due to unequal revenue generation for different formats. His focus lies on supporting nations where Test cricket wrestles with financial instability.
