England chief calls for Test quality control

Julian Guyer

English cricket's leading administrator has called for a reduction in the volume of Test cricket in order to ensure standards in the five-day format are maintained.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chairman Giles Clarke added the International Cricket Council (ICC) had to get the 2011 World Cup in Asia "right" after branding last year's edition in the Caribbean as "unsuccessful in virtually every feasible aspect".

Clarke, in an interview with January's issue of the Wisden Cricketer magazine, was asked to predict where cricket will be in five years' time. He replied: "The game has to decide what the ICC does, what is its role.

"It has to determine its calendar over a lengthy period. Four years is not practical. At the same time we have to respect quality.

"Test cricket is the summit of the game and it must be played by the best countries. There is no doubt that when Test cricket is good, it is wonderful." Questioned as to whether that meant fewer but better Tests, Clarke answered: "Yes. That is the real test of the player in mental and physical strength - the tension and excitement we feel as a series develops." The ECB, under Clarke, have recently signed leading nations South Africa and India to five-match 'icon' status Test series with England to go alongside their Ashes campaigns against Australia.

Former Somerset chairman Clarke, turning his attention to 50-over cricket, delivered a scathing assessment of the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

A tournament widely regarded, at some two months in duration, as being too long was also criticised for poor attendances and pricing local cricket fans out of the market for tickets.

The final in Barbados ended in farce when, after five of world cricket's most experienced officials between them failed to realise enough overs had elapsed for Australia to be declared the winners against Sri Lanka, the players were ordered back onto the field to complete the match in near-total darkness.

"We have to care about the World Cup as a major event," Clarke stressed. "The 2007 World Cup was unsuccessful in virtually every feasible aspect."

Looking ahead to the next edition, due to take place in three years' time in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, he added: "The 2011 World Cup is a huge thing for the ICC because they have to get it right."

England's 'icon' agreement does not cover the current series in India, where Kevin Pietersen's side were beaten by six wickets in the first of a two-Test campaign in Chennai on Monday.

Concerns have been repeatedly expressed about the viability of Bangladesh, so far restricted to short series, as a Test nation. They lost seven of their eight Tests this year, while a draw with New Zealand owed much to rain. Bangladesh have now lost 50 of their total 57 Tests, 33 by an innings, with their sole victory coming against fellow strugglers Zimbabwe.

LONDON, Wednesday (AFP)