'We see a proliferation': World Cup Winning Coach Highlights Biggest Challenge For Jay Shah

On Thursday, former Australia head coach John Buchanan called on the International Cricket Council, soon to be led by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, to make wise decisions for the long-term future of cricket. Shah, who is 35, will become the youngest chairman of the global governing body when he assumes the role on December 1.

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John Buchanan Highlights the Importance of Test Cricket

Buchanan, who guided Australia to two record-breaking streaks of 16 consecutive Test wins and World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007, emphasized the need for the ICC to address concerns about the increasing number of T20 leagues. "It's an interesting question. With Jay Shah set to lead the ICC, it's crucial that the council makes very sound long-term decisions for the game," Buchanan told PTI when asked about the future of Test cricket in India and Australia.

"We see a proliferation of T20 leagues, T10 leagues, (The) Hundreds and so on... the reality is, that is the future of the game. The young children that we're speaking here today will be inspired by and have a real love for playing that short form of the game,” he said at the launch of 'Ready Steady Go Kids' multi-sport program.

“The game is built on Test cricket. That's the true fabric of the game. For the ICC to make some good decisions, they have to be very, very mindful of how many leagues they approve and sanction, which means by doing that, it will limit the number of leagues that players are drawn to, for a start,” he said.

Buchanan said the ICC will have to find a way to keep the ODI format relevant since it helps in transition between Tests and T20s.

“Test cricket is really important. We've got the proliferation of the short-format game. We need to keep the transition game, which is the one-day game,” he said.

“It's too difficult for players to be able to play quality cricket with only two formats, meaning a short format and a long format. We need that intervening, that transition format of 50-over cricket." Buchanan said players cannot be blamed for trying to make most of the opportunities.

“You want to be well paid for because you're at the top of your game. Who knows how long they've got injury-wise, selection-wise, age-wise…” he later told reporters.

“They've got to try and exploit that and that's what the leagues are offering at the moment. I don't blame them for that.” Buchanan said he anticipates the Australian Test side to undergo a phase of transition after the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year.

“I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of changes in that Australian Test side because most of them are over 30,” he said.

(With inputs from PTI)