I am slightly concerned: Steve Smith regarding Test cricket's future
It was already assumed that international cricket would be under threat in the era of franchise cricket. Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has said that the world of cricket is moving according to the model of football because the number of T20 tournaments is increasing every year.
Khan Mutasim Billah LifeEditor
Posted - 2023-06-07T00:05:36+06:00
Updated - 2023-06-07T00:05:36+06:00
Australia star batter Steve Smith wants the cricket boards to give the highest importance to the five-day format. He thinks it is possible to keep people interested in Test cricket only then.
It was already assumed that international cricket would be under threat in the era of franchise cricket. Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has said that the world of cricket is moving according to the model of football because the number of T20 tournaments is increasing every year.
Along with the new T20 league in South Africa, the new tournament has also started in Dubai. Saudi Arabia is also going to launch a new league. All in all, it is becoming difficult to say whether international cricket will find a place with so many franchise cricketers in a year.
And this is why former Australian captain Smith is more afraid. He loves the Test format more than ODI and T20. Since his debut, he has scored 8792 runs with an average of 59.80. In an interview with Cricbuzz, Smith said, "Yeah, I am slightly concerned. But yeah, hopefully Test Cricket still stays alive and well. I think it's in a good place at the moment. In terms of some of the games we've seen recently have been pretty amazing. So, yeah, for me as a, I suppose, a traditionalist, someone that loves Test cricket, I hope it still remains at the front of all the board's minds and stays alive and well for some time to come."
The final match of the ICC World Test Championship will be played at The Oval tomorrow. And India and Australia will meet in the final. In Smith's eyes, the top two teams made it to the finals. He is looking forward to a good fight.
“I think the World Test Championship now, having the two best teams play in a final, I think that's great. It adds a little bit more relevance, I suppose, to Test cricket. So it's what we all work towards for a couple of years. And this week should be an exciting one and yeah the guys are looking forward to it,” Smith added.