In the wake of the T20 cricket revolution, the enduring legacy of Test cricket faces a dual onslaught. Renowned Australian cricket luminary Ian Chappell, in a compelling piece for ESPNcricinfo, delves into the alarming state of the red-ball game, spotlighting what he terms the “abysmal pace of play.”

Chappell directs his scrutiny towards the batters, holding them responsible for the stagnation of Test cricket’s rhythm. In his incisive analysis, he decries the sluggish pace, pointing out the lack of initiative from cricket administrators. Despite commendable efforts from players like Ben Stokes to elevate Test cricket’s entertainment factor, Chappell argues that progress is hampered by a lack of proactive measures.

“Why do mid-pitch discussions happen without penalty? Shouldn’t etiquette dictate that batters are ready for their stance when a bowler is poised to deliver?”

Chappell queries, addressing issues ranging from extended breaks, frequent glove changes, and unnecessary boundary replays. He also raised concerns about the Decision Review System (DRS), attributing it to the prolonged nature of decisions and disputes.

Chappell’s critique extends to player behaviour, calling out the allowance for charging at umpires during appeals and the inconsistency in permitting abrupt changes to a batter’s stance.

“Fairness should be a consideration when framing cricket’s laws,”

he asserts, highlighting the need for equitable regulations in the face of evolving cricket dynamics.