FORMER England captain Mike Brearley believes Test cricket could “die” in countries such as Pakistan, New Zealand and South Africa due to dwindling crowds.

Brearley, who recently stepped down from his role as chairman of the MCC World Cricket Committee, claims Test cricket is facing a looming crisis due to the popularity of the limited-overs game.
“If Test cricket declines further in places like Pakistan, and I don’t mean they’re declining as a team, they’re doing very well, but in countries like Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies, where there are no crowds, then it will die in those countries,” Brearley told BBC’s Sportsweek.
“We made some of those statements at the end of our meeting two or three weeks ago in London and actually I’ve heard nothing from them (the game’s authorities).
“I hope, nevertheless, that these things infiltrate under the surface. There’s a lot of good effort and good thinking in the ICC, but I think they’ve got to grasp, get hold of Test cricket by the scruff of the neck and put all the effort into promoting and marketing it, like they already do with marketing and promoting T20 cricket.”
Brearley said Test cricket has suffered due to the rise of Twenty20 leagues in all the leading Test-playing nations.
“There is a looming crisis for Test cricket. It’s already there to some extent,” he said.
“But it’s likely to get worse unless something is done about it and the looming crisis has two facets.
“One is that there is a conflict or tension between 20-over and 50-over cricket on the one side and five-day cricket on the other.
“Secondly, there’s a tension between domestic leagues, like the Indian Premier League and also now the South African League and the Big Bash in Australia, the T20 competition that’s going to start in England, and so on.
“I hope, nevertheless, that these things infiltrate under the surface. There’s a lot of good effort and good thinking in the ICC, but I think they’ve got to grasp, get hold of Test cricket by the scruff of the neck and put all the effort into promoting and marketing it, like they already do with marketing and promoting T20 cricket.”
Brearley said Test cricket has suffered due to the rise of Twenty20 leagues in all the leading Test-playing nations.
“There is a looming crisis for Test cricket. It’s already there to some extent,” he said.
“But it’s likely to get worse unless something is done about it and the looming crisis has two facets.”One is that there is a conflict or tension between 20-over and 50-over cricket on the one side and five-day cricket on the other.”Secondly, there’s a tension between domestic leagues, like the Indian Premier League and also now the South African League and the Big Bash in Australia, the T20 competition that’s going to start in England, and so on.(Telegraph Sport)