'It is a bleak picture for Test cricket' - Ian Chappell opens up on how the T20 format has cast its dark shadow on the longest format

Ian Chappell reckons that the T20 format of the game has cast its ‘dark shadow’ on Test match cricket. The former Australian cricketer further added that the T20 World Cup will be played in the UAE this year, and this will be followed by the Ashes series.

Chappell also threw light on how negotiations have been going on between Cricket Australia (CA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) regarding the Covid-19 restrictions.

Chappell also feels that T20 tournaments where several countries are involved are easier for negotiation purposes as compared to the long-drawn nature of Test match cricket in the current scenario.

“There’s a T20 World Cup to be played in the UAE and then, after some spirited negotiations, hopefully, a credible Ashes series in Australia. The difficult negotiations over the Ashes series were mostly brought about by the Covid pandemic, but more and more the T20 format is casting a dark shadow over Test cricket.

T20 tournaments involving countries require only days to complete and therefore are far easier to negotiate in the current chaotic climate than a long Test series,” wrote Chappell for ESPNCricinfo.

In future, Test series will be played only amongst the traditional cricket countries: Ian Chappell

Ian Chappell also added that in the future, Test matches will only be contested between traditional cricketing nations. The 78-year-old also feels that countries like Ireland and Afghanistan do not possess a capable infrastructure that can contribute towards player development.

“This points to future Test series being mostly played among the traditional cricket countries. It’s hard to see the long form of the game prospering in the latest Test-playing nations, Ireland and Afghanistan. They don’t have a first-class infrastructure capable of supporting a player development system of any great depth,” wrote Chappell.

Chappell also feels that the traditional Test-playing nations do not want to play against the newer Test-playing nations, and as a result, the future of Test cricket could be bleak.

“There’s also an inclination among the older Test-playing nations to avoid contests against these newer teams where possible, as they are generally a costly proposition. It’s a bleak picture for Test cricket, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic-created chaos,” concluded Chappell.