Int'l Cricket Council Set To Allow Countries To Determine Length Of Test Matches

The Int'l Cricket Council "looks set to allow countries to choose whether Test matches last four or five days," according to Elizabeth Ammon of the LONDON TIMES. There is "general support across the national boards for the introduction of four-day Tests," although it is understood that there is no agreement within the BCCI on its stance because of "fears on the impact" on TV revenue. However, it is anticipated that there would be "almost universal support for an approach that gives some flexibility on the length of Tests, allowing bigger, money-making series such as the Ashes to remain as five-day Tests." It is understood that the England & Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia favor this approach. The ICC board will meet in October and is "likely to give the go-ahead" to South Africa's proposed four-day Test match against Zimbabwe, starting on Boxing Day, "as a trial." The board will also be discussing the int'l schedule from '20 onward (LONDON TIMES, 9/25).