Wright says Test cricket is right
John Wright at the SSCyesterday. - Pic by Amila Gamage
Former Kiwi cricket captain and one-time India and New Zealand coach, John Wright, stressed the importance of cricket officials from various world governing bodies striking the right balance between Twenty20 and Test cricket, in order to cater to fans of the sport’s traditional format as well as its proper development.
“I think that’s a challenge for the administrators of the game to get the balance right because there is almost a solid majority of true cricket lovers who enjoy the longer form of the game, and then it’s got to be balanced with the development of the game,” Wright said, while speaking to the Sunday Times.
“If the balance is too much towards Limited Over cricket it might hurt the development of your young crop of cricketers, because as a batter you’re always looking to score and take risks accordingly, and as a bowler you’re looking to just limit the run rate. Whereas in Test cricket it’s quite the opposite; you want to occupy the crease and as a bowler you want to be able to take wickets.”
Wright is in the island as part of a scholarship launch for the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT), for which he is the brand ambassador, and last morning conducted a cricket camp for 25 students of the SSC Academy of Cricket.
Speaking about the growing influence of T20 cricket, Wright admitted that it was “what fans and the public wants” but said that it also created an additional burden for emerging players.
“It is very challenging for the players because they’ve got three different forms they have to master and I think that could be tough on the young players, who come in and are expected to perform immediately.”
Revealing his thoughts about the Lankans’ home series against the New Zealanders, Wright said the home team were the clear favourites. “Sri Lanka at home are tough because they know the conditions. It’s hot and they’ve got some very good players.”
Nevertheless he stated that New Zealand too were a very talented unit, with a solid seam attack and batting lineup capable of pressurizing the world’s best teams. “The key thing will be getting big scores. The ability to play spin will also be a factor.”
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