4 reasons why a 4-day Test may not be a feasible option

South Africa and Zimbabwe are all set to create history this boxing day by competing in a 4-day Test match at Port Elizabeth from 26th December, 2017 to 29th December, 2017.

Apart from the 4-day Test, there are other major overhauls to the traditions which has long been followed by South African cricket. Durban, which has been hosting a boxing day Test each year makes way for Port Elizabeth, which will host the first-ever 4-day Test.

Another interesting aspect of the 4 day Test scheduled between South Africa and Zimbabwe is that it will be a day night Test. Change of venue, change of time and reduction of the Test by a day will ensure that the Test will go down as an unique one.

So, is a 4 day Test really viable? Is there is a necessity to bring such an innovation to Test cricket?

#4 The art of surviving on a day 5 pitch defines a batsman

Test cricket will really lose its charm by reduction of a day. In Tests played in the sub-continent, the real test is surviving on a day 5 pitch with spinners in action and with men around the bat. The dying moments of the recently concluded Test between India and Sri Lanka at Kolkata is proof that day 5 is the most prominent day .

Another example is the recently concluded Adelaide Test between Australia and England when the match was evenly balanced going into day 5. Batting on a day 5 pitch is an art which makes the difference between winning and losing a Test. If the Adelaide Test was a 4 day affair, the excitement of the masses would have been greatly curtailed.

#3. Revised playing conditions

Bowling 98 overs in a day will be a challenge

There will be a minimum of 98 overs bowled in a day in 4-day Test. In a day and age when teams struggle to bowl 90 overs in a day, be it due to weather conditions, bad light stopping play, slow over rates, it will be interesting to see how 98 overs will be bowled in a day.

If an extra half hour is needed to even complete 90 overs, it is hard to imagine 98 being completed on a regular basis.

#2 The prospect of more draws

Weather will play a huge part in the game

Another aspect which needs to be taken into account is whether 4 days are enough to produce a result in Test cricket. A majority of Test matches get interrupted due to rain or bad light or any other natural phenomenon. The ICC will need to consider as to how lost time will be made up in such situations.

The only solution to this issue seems to be that the 4-day Test will be a day night Test. However, a day-night Test will be a cause of concern in the sub continent where dew plays a vital factor.

All these issues need to be addressed by ICC before giving a go ahead to more 4-day Test matches in the future.

#1 May not get support from all Test-playing nations

South Africa and Zimbabwe will compete in the first ever 4 day Test

Innovation is the need of the hour on international cricket and when the concept of day night Tests was introduced, it was supported by one and all. It was for betterment of the game and to attract more and more people to watch Test cricket in the age of T 20 cricket.

However, the 4 day Test concept will basically kill the real charm of Test cricket. Though South Africa and Zimbabwe have taken the step forward to play a 4-day Test, it will be interesting to see if other teams follow their footsteps.

In all likelihood, the concept of 4 day Test will have to be rethought by ICC, as one cannot imagine a Ashes Test or a Test between India and England or India and Australia being a 4-day affair.

Sometimes, traditions do play a huge part and it will be interesting to see if any, or all of the nations agree to such a huge change to the longest format of the game.