Test cricket is too slow!

Itrsquos no secret that Test cricket is an endangered species Administrators are enamoured with T20rsquos popularity and its huge financial rewards therersquos been a worldwide explosion of T20 leagues and now players are signing longterm contracts with major T20 franchises These are all contributing factorsHowever the list also includes the exorbitant cost of preparing cricketers through longer form firstclass competition and a lack of competitiveness among a number of Testplaying nationsDiscussion is gaining momentum for fourday Tests following the number of fiveday games that last slightly longer than a 50over match There are valid arguments about the increasing costs and for the introduction of fourday Tests but why isnrsquot the tardy pace of play being addressedThe pace of play in Test cricket is abysmal Itrsquos slowing every day and yet nothing is being done to improve matters On the one hand Ben Stokes genuinely strives to improve the entertainment quotient of Test cricket but hersquos being undermined by the administrationrsquos lack of initiativeWhy are batsmen allowed to meet midpitch during overs to discuss who knows what without penalty Why arenrsquot batsmen 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 so than need Why arenrsquot boundaries signalled only for balls that hit the rope rather than allowing pointless replays to see the whereabouts of a fielderrsquos feet or handsHave administrators heard how players shouldnrsquot 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 timeHow come players are allowed to charge at umpires whilst they are appealing without any recrimination I was appalled to see Australian players indulging in this heinous behaviour in the SCG Test This bad habit should be subject to penaltyHow can it be fair that a bowler has to nominate his method of delivery through the umpire right or left arm over or round the wicket but a batsman can face up lefthanded but then change to play a righthanded shotTherersquos one main reason whymdashto undermine the field placings There is no doubt itrsquos skilful but itrsquos not fair Fairness should be a consideration when framing cricketrsquos laws A batsman shouldnrsquot be allowed to change the order of his hands or feetWhen did using your feet cleverly become more dangerous than playing a premeditated sweep shotThe ridiculous combination of muchimproved bats and shorter boundaries must have been devised by people who consider bowlers a necessary evil Either that or they are delusional about the resultant escalation in sixes that excite fans who pay entrance money That and the huge rights fees that T20 leagues attract can be the only reason why a ludicrous imbalance in playing conditions is maintainedA gametime clock is being trialled to ensure that whiteball cricket moves at a respectable speed It would be better if games flowed naturally because the administrators adjudicated responsibly to ensure all matches moved at an acceptable paceWhen was the last time the stipulated minimum number of overs were completed in the regular time allocated for a Test dayrsquos play Six hours of cricket is amplemdashfor players the fans the viewers and administrators Everything should be done to avoid the game enduring overtime Overtime is one of the more boring aspects of cricketCricket needs to operate as a partnership between players and administrators Itrsquos about time that relationship was formalised and the game was allowed togrow accordinglyThere is no doubt cricketrsquos move into the modern era leaves some former players flummoxed Nevertheless there is nothing wrong with administrators displayingdecisionmaking strength that is backed by cricketing common senseIan Chappell a former Australia captain is one of the most respected voices in the gameAjaz Ashrafrsquos Monday Blues will be back next weekSend your feedback to mailbagmiddaycomThe views expressed in this column are the individualrsquos and donrsquot represent those of the paper