Nathan Lyon downplays the idea of 'four-day tests', labels it as 'ridiculous'

After idea of '4-day Tests' has been doing rounds in cricketing world, ace Australian bowler, Nathan Lyon downplayed idea stating that it is 'ridiculous.' off-spinner who helped Australia grab an early victory against New Zealand in Boxing Day Test defended auntic form of longest-format of game, even after Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts said CA would "look really seriously" at concept in coming years. 

'y all go down to last day'

Australia is set to host Afghanistan down under next summer, and CA Chief Executive Roberts said that board would consider making that match a four-day contest. While speaking at Unplayable Podcast, Lyon said that he is totally against four-day Test cricket as some of most significant and memorable matches of game have gone on to play on fifth day. "You look at all big games around world and some of best Test matches I've been part of, y go down to last day," Lyon said.

Reflecting on some of most memorable matches, Lyon said, "You look at (Australia) against India at Adelaide in 2014, that went down to last half-an-hour on day five. n you look at Cape Town in 2014 as well, you look at that Test match where Ryan Harris bowled Morne Morkel with two overs to go, so that's gone down to last 10 minutes on a day five. I'm t a fan of four-day Test matches."

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Furrmore, he added, "I believe you'll get so many more draws and day five is crucial. One, re's wear element. But (also) wickets se days are probably a lot flatter than y have been in past, so it allows teams to bat longer and to put pressure on sides and you need that time for pitch to deteriorate and bring spinners in more on day five as well."

ICC to consider four-day Test matches

Tests have been played over five days through most of ir 140-year history. If four-day Tests are held during 2015-2023 cycle, it would free up 335 days of scheduled cricket. A four-day Test is t a new concept with last one played between England and Ireland earlier this year. South Africa and Zimbabwe too played one in 2017.

READ | England Backs ICC Plans To Scrap Five-day Tests

decision comes on aftermath of ICC’s demand for an increase in window for playing international cricket. With BCCI’s  Indian Premier League (IPL) covering up a substantial share of bilateral calendar , move to reduce a day from Test cricket is to free up as many scheduled cricketing days as possible.

It is believed that four-day Tests would also allow more Test series to be contested with 3-5 matches per series. move would benefit host boards and broadcasters a sizeable share of revenue without having to budget for Day 5 of a Test.

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