Former England captains Alastair Cook and Michael Vaughan have sparked fresh debate over the future of Test cricket, calling for key changes to make the game more competitive and fair.
Cook suggested that teams should have more flexibility in taking the new ball. Currently, a new ball is available after 80 overs, but Cook believes captains should be allowed to take it any time after 30 overs. He explained that this change would help bowling sides take 20 wickets, the ultimate goal in Test cricket, and make matches more balanced.
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Vaughan, on the other hand, focused on substitution rules. At present, substitutes are only allowed for concussion cases or wicketkeeping injuries. Vaughan argued that this system is outdated, pointing to incidents like India’s Rishabh Pant, who was injured in the field but still allowed to bat later in the game. He believes that substitutions should be expanded under the supervision of independent doctors to ensure fairness and protect player welfare.
These proposals come at a time when Test cricket is under pressure from tight schedules, heavy player workloads, and the growing popularity of T20 leagues. The calls from Cook and Vaughan highlight a growing movement to modernize the traditional format while keeping its essence intact.
