Test cricket must keep its rightful place at the top of the sport: Lorgat

Islamabad (ANI): International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat has said that Test cricket must keep its rightful place at the top of the sport because it is the format for which great players are remembered.

“International cricket is fortunate to be in a very exciting and enviable position. It currently enjoys three popular and viable formats of the game and I don’t think any other sport can claim that.

As far as we are concerned, Test cricket is the pinnacle of our great sport and is so acknowledged by the players,” PakPassion.net quoted Lorgat, as saying.

“We therefore believe it must be protected and promoted and to achieve this, we think that issues like context, content and scheduling are important factors that must be addressed. We want to see Twenty20 Internationals, but not too many - that is why there is a limit on the number of international T20s.”

“We want ODIs to continue to flourish, but within a context that would make every match count. And we want Test cricket to keep its rightful place at the top of the sport,” he added.

Lorgat further said that Tests are the true mark and measure of where a player stands at the highest level.

“It’s how great players are remembered and how they can be compared to players of yesteryear. Again, the key here is context. That is why we are keen to promote an ODI League and a Test Championship,” the ICC Chief Executive said.

“We believe that interesting competitions will maintain the popularity of each format and grow the game further.

In addition, we will always consider any initiative that has the potential to develop the game, make it more relevant and popular while still maintaining the unique history and spirit that the sport enjoys around the world,” he added.