Published: Aug 29, 2015, 11:30 AM (IST)
Edited: Aug 29, 2015, 12:05 PM (IST)
India vs Sri Lanka 2015 Test series has not witnessed enough support from the spectators and did not occupy even a modest 7,000 seating capacity of the P Sara Oval ground during the second Test. This has prompted former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga to say that ICC is not interested to reinvigorate Test cricket. Test cricket has lost its sheen after the coming of IPL and other T20 leagues which have started to mushroom throughout the globe. Ranatunga who has more than 5000 runs in Test cricket said that ICC is to blame for the terrible state in which Test cricket has reached. He added that ICC is only focussing on ODIs and T20s. READ: Muttiah Muralitharan puts Arjuna Ranatunga ahead of Kumar Sangakkara as Sri Lanka’s most influential cricketer
Ranatuna was quoted by Times of India saying, “We have two top teams in action, playing some exciting cricket, but still we don’t have crowds. I have doubts whether the present ICC regime wants to do anything to save Test cricket. It’s all about making money for them, which comes through ODIs and T20s. If this attitude of ICC doesn’t change very soon, I don’t see a very bright future for Test cricket or the sport in general.” the 1996 World Cup-winning captain said.
Ranatunga believes “curtailed tours” are a reason for Test teams finding it difficult to win overseas. “Most of the cricket boards just want to finish tours early. As teams don’t play enough practice games, they are less acclimatized to alien conditions. That’s why you see so many one-sided home series,” the 51-year-old 1996 World Cup-winning captain. ALSO READ: Arjuna Ranatunga starts work as Sri Lanka Ports and Shipping minister
Ranatunga also added that with the advent of T20s lack of technique and temperament can be clearly seen in batsmen and focus has shifted more towards power-hitting, “The technique of batsmen has gone down substantially. Apart from teams like England, Australia and to some extent South Africa, most of the other teams are concentrating too much on the shorter format. The batmen get exposed in Test cricket. Test cricket is not only about winning sessions. The final result is what counts and the series is locked at 1-1 currently. It doesn’t matter that India have won more sessions in this [India vs Sri Lanka 2015] series.” he said. ALSO READ: Death of a Gentleman: Time to look at accumulated mess
On Kumar Sangakkara’s retirement Ranatunga said, “Top players come and go in international cricket. I think we have a huge talent pool in junior cricket. We are still producing quality cricketers like Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal. There will always be replacements.”
