England Test captain Ben Stokes has criticized the Apex Cricket Council for not paying enough attention to scheduling, claiming that the growing popularity of domestic T20 leagues around the world is endangering the game’s longest format.
Stokes, who recently led his team to a 3-0 Test whitewash against Pakistan, added that the way Test cricket was being handled and discussed these days, particularly in light of the growing popularity of league cricket, was hurting him.
“The scheduling doesn’t get enough attention that it should. A great example is England’s one-day series against Australia after the T20 World Cup. That was shoving three games in there. It made sense to someone to schedule a series which meant nothing,” said Stokes in an interaction with the legendary Ian Botham on BBC on Monday.
“Test cricket has been spoken about in a way I don’t like. It is losing the attention of the fans with all the new formats and franchise competitions. We understand there are so many opportunities for players away from Test cricket. But for me it is so important for the game,” added Stokes.
Stoke suggested that Test-playing nations should follow England’s lead and play ultra-attacking cricket, saying that “entertainment” rather than “results” will go a long way toward popularising the five-day format.
“Taking the result away from the mindset is a great starting point. Putting focus on making every day entertaining. Not allowing people to know what is going to happen. If people turn up excited about what they are going to watch you’ve already won before a ball has been bowled,” said Stokes.
You want international cricket to be the highest standard: Ben Stokes
The 31-year-old all-rounder is also dissatisfied with the selection of multiple squads and the resting of players as a result of the volume of cricket played and the commitment of cricketers to their franchises.
“Some people say ‘you are playing for England, that should be enough’. But there is a lot more to factor in. You want international cricket to be the highest standard. But we have seen a lot of different squads being picked and players being rested, and that’s not the way international cricket should go,” opined Stokes.
While Botham agreed that franchise cricket was a good idea, he advocated for a balance between domestic leagues and the game’s longest format.
“Test match cricket is called that for a very good reason, because it tests all the faculties of a player. The emphasis is too much towards white ball. In England we currently have a few first-class games in early April and it disappears until end of season. It should be balanced better. You have to make room for it all,” said Botham.
“The idea of franchises is a solid, good idea. I just hope we can maintain a balance. And if franchises can maintain that balance then let’s have a look at it.”
