Case in point: The "protectors of Test cricket" are proposing 4 day Tests.
Leave the format alone!!!!
Crack down on slow over-rates. Relegate the teams that stink (you know which ones I mean). Encourage longer series in order to prevent teams from trying to sit on a 1-0 lead in a best of 3 series. Ensure that pitches retain a twinge of green to help bowlers of all ilk. Stop molly-coddling the batsmen. Get rid of the bouncer restrictions. Stop emasculating an umpire's ability to give decisions in the middle. Stop changing rules to help batsmen (why was the Mankad-ing rule altered anyway?). Spread the boundary rope to prevent edges from going for sixes, etc., etc.
My goodness, there are so many other ways of keeping the Test format fresh and alive, and the nitwits think that cutting one day from it will make it more exciting?!!
Let me say this very s-l-o-w-l-y in a language that the cash-chasing leaders will understand. 5 days produce more TV revenue than 4 days. Get it???? Increased over rates mean more commercials between overs. More competitive matches between more evenly matched teams means more eyeballs will watch. Longer series will mean that there is more interest for a longer period between two closely matched teams.
If you really want to tweak something, I suggest you cast your spell towards the 50 over game, which is the format that is being bludgeoned to death by the proliferation of T20 games.
Just leave the 5 day game alone. Please.
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