Cricket Tests Lose Popularity

Concerns over the sustainability of Test cricket have been raised by research which shows that only 7% of cricket followers in the sport's modern heartland, India, nominate Tests as their preferred form of the game.

The poll was commissioned by the Marylebone Cricket Club of London (MCC) and covered fans in three countries where Test crowds have declined â India, South Africa and New Zealand. Armed with the findings, which have raised fresh concerns about whether Tests can remain relevant in the

Twenty20 age, the MCC's World Cricket Committee implored administrators to give the longest form of the game the "loving care and attention" it deserves.

The Lord's-based group also renewed its push for Tests to be staged at night and to be given greater context in a global Test championship. Tony Lewis, the former England captain who heads the committee, recently explained âit's not as if the game is falling apart, but it has been scooped by Twenty20 and I think we would be foolish if we didn't think it was universal."

The key findings were presented to the International Cricket Council's cricket committee earlier this month in Dubai, where both groups reaffirmed their commitment to preserving all three forms. Significantly, the survey shows the maligned 50-over game is thriving; despite reports of public fatigue it remains the most popular format with 36% of fans across the three countries.

In India though, Twenty20 internationals rule, with 58% of the respondents declaring these as their favourite compared with 31% for one day internationals (ODIs), 7% for Tests and 4% for the Indian Premier League.

Overall, 13% said they preferred Tests to the limited-overs contests.

In India, 58% of respondents said the emergence of Twenty20 had reduced their interest in Test cricket, while 23% of South Africans and 13% of New Zealanders felt the same way. On the other hand, almost two thirds of Indians and three quarters of South Africans said Twenty20 might spark their interest in the longer formats.

The research will concern administrators who have already been accused of devaluing Test cricket by scheduling too many meaningless limited-overs matches. Australia have played a record 40 ODIs this year, leaving the Test stars with precious little preparation for the looming Test series against the

West Indies. The crowded calendar, coupled with the emergence of new and lucrative opportunities in Twenty20 leagues has persuaded a number of players such as Adam Gilcrist and Andrew Flintoff to retire from Test cricket, meaning the Test cricket can no longer be assured of showcasing the best players.

The study also challenges the assumption that slow over rates and dull pitches are most instrumental in keeping people away from Tests. Instead, it suggests ticket prices and timeslots are key factors.

While not part of the study, Australia is experiencing weaker sales for the 2010 Test series against Pakistan, with matches at the Melbourne and Sydney Cricket Grounds are 20% weaker than a year ago, while the first Test against the West Indies in Brisbane this week is expected to draw 12,000 fewer spectators than Australia's corresponding clash with the Windies on their 2005 tour.

Image: Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

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