Glenn McGrath in favour of 'traditional' five-day Tests

The ICC is considering the introduction of four-day Tests as part of the World Test Championships from 2023, an idea supported by Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts.

Glenn McGrath batted in favour of the five-day format.

Australia pace legend Glenn McGrath on Thursday said he is against the idea of shortening the five-day game to a four-day affair as proposed by the ICC.

The ICC is considering the introduction of four-day Tests as part of the World Test Championships from 2023, an idea supported by Cricket Australia CEO Kevin Roberts.

McGrath, however, said he is completely against tinkering with the longer format.

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“I’m very much a traditionalist. I like the game the way it is,” said McGrath, who has taken 563 wickets in 124 Tests, ahead of the Sydney Test between Australia and New Zealand beginning here on Friday.

“To me, five days is very special and I’d hate to see it get any shorter. The introduction of pink Tests, day-night Tests is a great way to continue keeping our game fresh and moving forward. In respects to changing how many days its played, I’m actually against it. I like the way it is.”

ICC’s proposal to introduce four-day Tests received stiff opposition from leading Australia spinner Nathan Lyon on Wednesday, who termed it “ridiculous”. Australia chief coach Justin Langer is also not in favour of tinkering with the traditional format.

England batsman Jos Buttler, however, feels cricket must be open to change and four-day Tests must be looked at as it could be a way to keep the longer format alive.

While England and Wales Cricket Board has “cautiously” supported the idea, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said it is too early to make any comment on the matter.