Boycott warns Test cricket 'dying'

England great Geoffrey Boycott warned on Tuesday Test cricket was "dying" around the world because of a lack of spectator interest and said radical action was needed to revitalise the five-day game.

The former opening batsman said crowds at Ashes matches masked the dwindling attendances for Tests elsewhere in the world, with even the recent series between South Africa and Australia, arguably the two strongest teams around, failing to sell-out. Boycott, speaking to reporters at Lord's here on Tuesday, said: "If you're watching England against Australia this summer, we're all seduced into believing Test cricket is fine because you could sell Test match cricket twice over for huge amounts of money because its the oldest form of Test match cricket and has history and tradition.

"But every other series around the world there are declining attendances and there have been declining attendances for many years," the Yorkshireman added.

"Everywhere crowds are down except in England and Australia....we have to tweak it a bit or do something to get bums on seats or their will be hardly anybody watching except television in 20 or 30 years' time."

The MCC cricket committee, which is made-up of former and current international players such as Australia's Steve Waugh and India's Rahul Dravid, called for a World Test Championship similar to the World Championships that exist in 50-over and Twenty20 cricket, to reignite interest.

Although there are world Test rankings, which do ultimately lead to a team being declared the best side in the world, they have yet to become part of the fabric of the game. "Test cricketers want to be able to say they're the world champions of Test cricket," said Waugh.

"We can say it in the Twenty20 and 50-over game but Test cricket continues on and on. There's the ranking system but there's no actual trophy where you can hold it aloft.

"Something definitely needs to be done to lift the profile of Test cricket.

"Most players still believe it is the pinnacle of the game and why not reward that every couple of years with a Test cricket championship or a trophy you've won."

LONDON, Wednesday (AFP)