Former Australia opener Justin Langer has slammed the increasing frequency of short-lived Test matches, calling two-day finishes ‘unacceptable’ after Australia wrapped up an innings victory over Bangladesh inside six sessions on Sunday.
A dominant display led by left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc’s 10-wicket match haul saw Australia bounce back from their shock nine-wicket loss in Darwin to defeat Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs.
The victory allowed the world’s top-ranked side to draw the two-match series 1-1, but the swift finish marked Australia’s third Test match in their last seven to end within two days. “Two-day Test matches (are) unacceptable. It’s no good for the game for so many reasons. Last year was disappointing for the crowds, for the kids who get to watch their heroes on TV or listen on the radio or get to the ground,” said Langer on SEN Radio.
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Highlighting the wider ramifications of such quick finishes on the sport’s ecosystem, Langer, who played 105 Tests for Australia, added, “Economically it’s a disaster for Cricket Australia who put money into grassroots cricket. And you know we’re talking about very well-paid professionals now, and you get tired of hearing ‘Oh it’s just the pitches, oh it’s the curators, it’s the ball moves a bit’.”
Bangladesh were bundled out for 95 in their second innings, a minor 31-run improvement from their first-innings collapse. Pointing away from pitch conditions, Langer attributed the trend of teams being bowled out quickly to a decline in fundamental batting techniques.
“I think a lot of it is down to basic batting technique. Take this test match alone. Almost every dismissal has been batters; their front foot has not gone past the front line. It’s just basic technique, and it’s footwork patterns.
“I coach young guys now, and I’ve just come back from England; there are a couple of batters who are in our Hundred team who are also wanting to become Test players. And you have some hits with them, and you say some things to them which are so basic for us in the game, and their eyes light up like you’re teaching them magic for the first time,” he added.
Australia will next travel to South Africa in October for a three-match Test series, their first red-ball tour to the nation since 2018.
