Former England cricketer Michael Atherton opined on the shortened Test matches in this decade. Several Test matches have been finished in 2-3 days in the last few years, with a recent Australia-Bangladesh Mackay Test, which was completed in two days.
Atherton analysed the growing quick finishes in Test cricket, attributing it to several factors. “Pitches have become more advantageous since the advent of the World Test Championship; teams are generally looking to get home advantage more. Speaking on Sky Sports during the rain-delayed start to Day 3 of the England vs Pakistan 2nd Test, the former English opener stated that T20 cricket’s high-risk batting, bowlers getting an advantage in the World Test Championship period, the DRS technology and a good crop of fast bowlers are reasons for the quick finishes. “In the last decade (from 2017-current), there have been nine occasions where Test matches have finished in two days, and there wasn’t a single two-day Test between 1946 and 2000.
So, whether it is turning pitches in India, or seam-friendly pitches in England, pitches have become more bowling-friendly since the advent of WTC,” he said. The Test matches are going quicker,” he said.
