While the world races past the speed of a T20 innings, as the franchise leagues increase like coffee shops, Kane Williamson still preaches patience. The New Zealand maestro asks for something rarer than patience, something somewhat different in time. Time for five days of chess-like cricket, time for meaning, beyond money. But can Test cricket, all its history and all its poetry, still have importance on a crowded, commercial calendar? Or will it be permitted to die quietly while all are busy chasing sixes and streaming deals?
Two Tiers, One Divide
The ICC’s potential two-division Test plan sounds neat on paper: stronger competition on top, development below. But Williamson’s point cuts deeper: how do lower-ranked teams improve if they’re kept apart? The Test format thrives on exposure, not exclusion. Sri Lanka’s win in South Africa (2019) or Bangladesh’s upset in New Zealand (2022) wouldn’t have existed in a closed structure. A two-tier divide risks turning cricket’s most democratic format into an elitist club — something Williamson’s New Zealand, a small nation punching above its weight, understands better than anyone.
Mind Over Market
Williamson’s words touch on an uncomfortable truth: Test cricket doesn’t sell as easily as T20. But what it lacks in flash, it makes up for in legacy. Boards in struggling markets often chase franchise gold over five-day integrity, and players follow the money. Williamson’s call is not anti-T20; it’s anti-forgetfulness. It’s about protecting identity, a format that tests temperament, technique, and time management. For a batter known for grinding centuries under pressure, it’s also deeply personal. Test cricket, to him, is not an event. It’s a philosophy.
Numbers Tell a Shrinking Story
The figures lend weight to his fears. Since 2015, the average number of Tests played yearly by each country has declined from 9.1 to 6.4. Some countries (the West Indies and Pakistan) have suffered worse in-home Tests. Even the “Big Three” of India, England, and Australia control the pulse of the calendar now. Two-Test series, once devised as a solution for fixture difficulties, are now the norm. Williamson has played in 11 two-Test series since 2013, robbing the games of that tension which alone makes Test rivalry thrilling. Two-test series do not enhance reputation. They only present an unfinished chapter.
Comparative View
What Williamson is saying is reminiscent of the argument made twelve months ago. In 2005, Shane Warne and Rahul Dravid were talking about the possible demise of ODIs when they hadn’t really started to be overtaken by the format of T20, and they weren’t completely wrong! Now, the Test match is about to receive the same treatment. But history provides evidence of the great resilience of a format. Remember the resurgence of England in 2015 after the McCullum-led invention of the Bazball directive? Or Australia’s loyalty and commitment to the Ashes, even though empty stands awaited Sheffield Shield games? Formats don’t actually die; they merely change! Williamson is not making this plea to save a dying art, but rather to make air available in an overcrowding room.
Key Takeaway: Test cricket doesn’t need rescue; it needs respect, resources, and room to breathe.
FAQs
- Why is Kane Williamson advocating for Test cricket’s importance?
Because he believes it remains the truest test of skill, patience, and character qualities often lost in franchise formats.
- What is Williamson’s view on the proposed two-tier Test system?
He fears it could isolate weaker nations and stop them from improving through exposure against top teams.
- How has the World Test Championship helped?
It has added structure and purpose, making each Test series count toward a bigger goal — but more scheduling balance is still needed.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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