Melbourne, January 05: Twenty20 might be a massive hit with the fans but former Australia captain Steve Waugh feels Tests will always remain a cricketer’s first priority and both the versions need each other’s support to survive and flourish.
“It doesn’t have to be one or the other. These guys out here now, they love playing Test cricket. It’s the ultimate test for them mentally, physically and technically. That’s why you train, and that’s why you take up the game.
“But the other game (Twenty20) is exciting and it’s a money-making arm of the game, commercially it’s successful.
Players have that challenge of modifying and adapting. The main thing is that people love watching it. There’s got to be room for both. They need each other,” Waugh told.
The sidelines of the second Test between Australia and Pakistan at the SCG.
The 44-year-old former batsman had a word of advice for the game’s administrators, who are busy exploring various options to keep alive spectators interest in the five-day format.
“Test cricket has to cater to the crowds. You have to look after the people. The first day here, there was a lot of waiting around. Did we need to wait that long? Do we need to wait half an hour from the toss to the start of the game?”
—PTI