In view of franchise-based leagues’ rising global reach, Steve Smith expressed his “slight concern” for the future of Test cricket and asked the cricket boards to maintain the format’s prominence.
The Australia batter added that he still believes that Test cricket is in a “good place” at the present but hoped that the format will continue to thrive in the years to come as he spoke in the run-up to the World Test Championship final, the ICC‘s biennial showcase event for red-ball cricket.
Steve Smith said
“Yeah, I am slightly concerned,” Smith said. “But yeah, hopefully Test Cricket still stays alive and well. I think it’s in a good place at the moment. In terms of some of the games we’ve seen recently have been pretty amazing. So, yeah, for me as a, I suppose, a traditionalist, someone that loves Test cricket, I hope it still remains at the front of all the board’s minds and stays alive and well for some time to come.”
Additionally, Smith discussed the significance of this WTC final for him and his team as well as how it lends some “relevance” to the format.
“Oh, I mean it’s really important. I think the World Test Championship now, having the two best teams play in a final, I think that’s great. It adds a little bit more relevance, I suppose, to Test cricket. So it’s what we all work towards for a couple of years. And this week should be an exciting one and yeah the guys are looking forward to it.”
However, how does the buildup to a WTC final contrast with that of the ODI and T20 World Cups, both of which Smith has participated in?
“Yeah, I’m not really sure. I haven’t thought too much about it in that aspect. It’s obviously been a good couple of years of Test cricket and to play in a final of the World Test Championship is pretty special. But yeah, I don’t know, until we sort of go out there and get started, I don’t know how it’ll feel. But it’s been a good build up the last few days. We’ve had some good days training down in Beckenham and we get to have a hit at the Oval today and tomorrow. So, we’re looking forward to that. But yeah, it should be a really good week,” Smith said.
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