Graeme Smith feels that a small bunch of countries are adding to the improvement of Test cricket
India led the way in the improvement of Test cricket under former captain Virat Kohli, as per South African legend Graeme Smith, who figures in just five or six countries and might be playing the longest format in the coming years.
India led the way in the improvement of Test cricket under former captain Virat Kohli, as per South African legend Graeme Smith, who figures in just five or six countries and might be playing the longest format in the coming years.
Smith feels simply a small bunch of countries are adding to the improvement of Test cricket at the moment.
“With Test cricket, it’s just iconic nations or the big cricketing nations that are contributing to Test cricket at the moment,”
Smith said on ‘Sky Sports’ on day three of the first Test between South Africa and England.
Graeme Smith feels under Kohli India “really took Test cricket seriously.” Kohli has been a flagbearer of the longest format of the game. He drove India to the final of the maiden World Test Championships alongside a few critical Test wins.
“I think it’s fantastic especially under Virat Kohli that India took Test cricket seriously. They lead the way with that.
“But as long as we’ve got competitive teams, you’re not going to have 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14 competitive teams. You might only be down to five or six nations that play Test cricket at this level,”
Smith added.
All six side’s in Cricket South Africa’s new T20 league have been purchased by IPL owners and Smith, who was as of late named the chief of the league, invited the speculation, which he feels the nation’s cricket board “desperately needed.”
“It’s certainly going to be an investment into our game that South African cricket desperately needed,”
Smith said.
“The pressures on nations like New Zealand, West Indies, and South Africa to stay financially sustainable to keep up with England, India, and the world game to stay competitive are hugely important.
“I don’t think world cricket can afford South Africa or any one of the top nations to start fading away.”
“For four weeks of an entire year, the priority will be the league. I feel that if we hadn’t done this South African cricket could have probably lost eight to ten players to this UAE league,”
Smith said.
“People also look at those three ODIs wrong. Yes, South Africa hasn’t handled ODI cricket as well and it should never be in this position. But for South Africa to be in Australia out of their key part of the summer financially is a huge stress for them.
“It’s like asking England not to play during your summer. The commitment that South African cricket made to go for the three Test matches is good for the game. It’s something that won’t happen often.”