In aftermath of the Cape Town rapid-fire Test, former Australia captain Ian Chappell bats for trimming down format to four days

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell, who played as many as 75 Tests, is batting in favor of trimming the longest format of the game from five to four days, a necessary move born out of “a lack of competitiveness” among a lot of Test playing teams.

“Discussion is gaining momentum for four-day Tests in the wake of five-day games lasting slightly longer than a 50-over match. There are valid arguments about the increasing costs and for the introduction of four-day Tests, but why isn’t the tardy pace of play being addressed?” Chappell scathed in his recent column for ESPN Cricinfo.

Even though the former cricketer and broadcaster was all praise for the aggressive tactics deployed by Ben Stokes and England to make the game more entertaining, Chappell conceded that the problem at hand was the waste of time in between the game.

“Why are batters allowed to meet mid-pitch during overs to discuss who knows what without penalty? Why aren’t batters informed that etiquette requires them to be in their stance at the crease when a bowler is ready to deliver? Heat extremes excepted, why allow drinks at times outside of the regular break? Why do glove changes occur so often? Surely this is superstition more than need,” Chappell noted.

The 80-year-old’s comments come in the aftermath of the India-South Africa Cape Town Test, which saw 23 wickets fall on day one, swiftly followed by a wrap up in the fifth session of the match.

As the ongoing World Test Championship cycle takes full swing in 2024 with the likes of India and England playing more than a dozen of red-ball matches throughout the year, including a five-match series commencing later this month, the existential questions are bound to be asked of the longest format of the game in the year of another T20 World Cup.

Why no recriminations against those charging at umpires?

Chappell also lambasted world cricket administrators and the game’s laws for the inaction against players who ‘charge’ towards the on-field umpires in their attempt to get a call in their favor. Pinpointing on a recent incident, the former Australian skipper wasn’t reticent of taking shots at Pat Cummins and Co.

“How come players are allowed to charge at umpires while they are appealing, without any recrimination? I was appalled to see Australian players indulging in this heinous behaviour in the SCG Test recently. This bad habit should be subject to penalty,” Chappell conceded.

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“Have administrators heard how players shouldn’t argue with an umpire? Then why do those same administrators encourage arguing with an umpire by allowing players to review decisions? The number of tactical reviews is growing out of hand and replays are taking too much time,” the former Aussie skipper added.

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