The trio are concerned that it will only be a matter of time before Test cricket becomes a format of the past
West Indies legends Michael Holding, Sir Vivian Richards and Joel Garner have called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to put an end to Twenty20 cricket, which they believe is destroying the history and heritage of Test cricket.
All three legends have voiced their concerns about the growing number of domestic Twenty2o tournaments in the past and now they feel as if the format has become a monster that cannot be stopped due to its appeal all around the world.
News.com.au quoted Holding as saying: “I have been on committees at ICC level, and West Indies Cricket Board level, and my problem with most of those committees is that you don’t have enough people with balls on them.”
“There are too many people happy to toe the line to make sure their positions are comfortable on these committees and boards, and ride the wave, instead of saying, ‘No, this ain’t right, let me find some other people who have influence on this committee who can also say this ain’t right and change the direction’,” Holding added. “You don’t have enough of that in world cricket. I have absolutely nothing good to say about Twenty20 cricket. You should not be playing international Twenty20s, it should remain as domestic tournaments.”
Holding noted that the ICC did nothing but watch as the format’s popularity skyrocketed and now they are too scared to even attempt altering it since people are completely hooked on the quick action and unorthodox shots.
“The administrators who run the game are a waste of time, and they’re allowing Twenty20 cricket to basically destroy world cricket,” Holding added.
Meanwhile, Garner said: “They’re the ones who are giving the windows and making the time available to slot Twenty20 competitions in.”
All three legends made their legacies playing Test cricket and the trio do not want to see the classic form of the game go straight out of the window to be replaced by a hit or get out type of format.
“The ICC could play a huge role, as Mikey was saying, in a parenthood role and step in and get all the countries involved,” Richards said. “You can still have Twenty20 cricket, which can be a great asset in terms of what you miss with bums on seats as far as Test cricket is concerned.”
“I just want balance, and if you have balance you will have a much better ratio of individuals wanting to represent their countries. We lack leadership at this point with where this is all going, the ICC have been given the mandate to show leadership on the issues and have been found wanting.”