TIME AND THE TESTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 142, 17 June 1926, Page 6

TIME AND THE TESTS.

The conservatism of English cricket is notorious; only at the point of the bayonet will the M.C.C. permit any innovation in the game. Behind this attitude, of course, is a laudable desire to preserve the traditions and spirit of a glorious game; but there are points in which it is susceptible to improvement, without in any way departing from the principles which have so long governed the sport. The eight-ball over, for instance, has been tested for years in Australia, and has been proved a great success from a time-saving point of view, without in any way impairing the efficiency of the attack. But the MiC.C. will have none of it. Similarly with the Teste. Tor years cricket enthusiasts have been trying to get an extension- from three days to four, so that the matches may be played to a finish. Under the three-day system many of the matches are inconclusive; twenty out of forty-eight have been drawn. The climate of Britain may always be depended upon to stop a game going beyond the fourth day, as they frequently do in Australia, and the granting of an extra day would prevent the possibility of four of the five Tests being sterile, leaving the fifth alone, which must be played out, to decide the rubber. The Tests are the prime objective of the visit, and four days for each match is not too much to ask. Recent cables indicate that opinion in England ie rapidly turning in favour of the change, and perhaps before the next series it will be effected. Chief opposition comes from the counties, who do not want to lose their cracks for two consecutive matches, but when enthusiasm burns so nobly fche-sacrifice is not too

great for broad-minded men who put the interests of the game above thdir own immediate concerns. The game will be improved if both sidee enter upon it with the knowledge that one or the other will win, and the Tests will be a greater challenge to skill than the three days matches with a draw always in prospect.