New ECB chief Colin Graves pushing for four-day Test matches

Colin Graves: Proposing four-day Tests

New England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Colin Graves has confirmed that he plans to table and propose a change in the duration of Test matches by reducing it to four days from five. He feels that it is the need of the hour to make changes in the Test format to bring in the same enthusiasm and popularity of the olden days.

He has suggested playing 105 overs a day instead of the current 90 a day, which would shorten each match by 30 overs.

The 67-year-old, who starts his term in May, told the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) website: “Personally, I think we should look at four-day Test cricket and play 105 overs a day starting at 10.30am in the morning, and finish when you finish as all the grounds now have lights.

"Every Test match would start on a Thursday, with Thursday and Friday being corporate days and then Saturday and Sunday the family days.

"From a cost point of view you'd lose that fifth day, which would save a hell of a lot of money from the ground's point of view and the broadcasters... I would look at that."

This radical proposal initially came into public domain earlier this year after an ECB document was leaked entitled ‘Strategy Conversation Summary’. Such drastic changes to the format of Test cricket would need to be implemented by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Outgoing Yorkshire chairman Graves is also planning to shake up English county cricket with a franchise-based Twenty20 competition.