Mackay, Aug 23: Former Australia opener Justin Langer has described the increasing frequency of Test matches finishing inside two days as “unacceptable” and warned that the trend could harm the longest format of the game.
His comments came after Australia thrashed Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test in Mackay to level the two-match series 1-1.
Australia needed just 750 balls to complete the match, which marked the third Test involving the team in its last seven to finish inside two days.
“Two-day Test matches are unacceptable. It’s no good for the game for so many reasons,” Langer said, expressing concern over the impact on spectators, young fans and the economics of the sport.
“Economically it’s a disaster for Cricket Australia who put money into grassroots cricket,” he added.
Langer also attributed the trend to shortcomings in batting technique, particularly footwork, rather than blaming pitches and playing conditions alone.
“I think a lot of it is down to basic batting technique,” he said, pointing out that many dismissals in the match resulted from batters failing to commit their front foot properly.
Bangladesh struggled throughout the match, being bowled out for just 64 in the first innings and 95 in the second. Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc was the chief destroyer, claiming 10 wickets in the match.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto admitted his team failed to produce its best performance but said the challenging Mackay conditions provided valuable experience.
“As the Bangladesh Test team, we didn’t play our best match,” Shanto said.
“There is a little bit more extra bounce and swing in the air. So it’s challenging for us,” he added.
Shoriful Islam was a bright spot for Bangladesh, claiming 7/48, while Shanto also praised the performances of Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud.
Shanto said Bangladesh needed more regular exposure to overseas conditions to improve its Test cricket, pointing to the team’s historic victory in the opening Test in Darwin as evidence of its potential.
“If we are able to get more chances, similar kind of conditions here, it will help us,” he said.
“If we have that chance to play every single year, it will help us to improve our game,” Shanto added.
The Bangladesh captain stressed the need for greater consistency as the team seeks to build on its Darwin success and become more competitive in overseas Test cricket.
