Whats happening to Test cricket?

the outcome of the latest proposals made by the ICC.
The biggest subject in a list of suggestions is the idea of introducing floodlit Test cricket which no doubt will have many of the older purists of the game holding their heads in anguish at the thought of their beloved longer version of the game being tampered with.
So what are the positives and the potential stumbling blocks that could either make or break floodlit Test cricket? It is no secret that the advent of day night cricket always attracts big crowds, be it 50-over cricket or the more condensed version that has now taken the world by storm. So at first curiosity may very well have people flocking to the grounds to see what Test cricket at night is all about.
The problem, however, will be the tempo of which the game will be played at. People have become accustomed to fast flowing cricket under lights with fours and sixes and loud music which naturally will be few and far between in a five-day Test match.
Another problem to contend with will be the colour of the ball and how long the ball will last given the fact that a ball is changed after 80 overs in a Test match.
And then there is also the age-old problem of the dew factor which has plagued day/night cricket. Does this mean that floodlit Test cricket will only be played over certain periods of the year when the dew factor is less of a concern? Another topic which has been spoken about is the decision review system commonly known as the DRS.
Now there is no doubt in anybody’s mind that technology has helped umpires when the odd mistake has been made but what the ICC has to remember ia a very costly one and wonders how the smaller and poorer countries will be able to afford the system.
Would they be prepared to assist these countries in any way? Then, of course, a subject which has always caused a great deal of controversy is the use of a runner for a batsman who would have injured himself or suddenly pulled up with cramp. The proposal is that no batsman should be allowed to have the use of a runner.
But is that perhaps not a little harsh? Or is the ICC finally waking up to the fact that there are batsmen who in the past have taken advantage of a runner simply because of him being unfit and not able to complete an innings wiithout the aid of a runner?
The likes of Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga comes to mind who frequently complained of cramp and slight injuries in order to take full use of a runner while in reality he simply wasn’t fit enough.
Meanwhile, the West Indian supporters finally have something to cheer about as they went 1-0 up in a two-Test match series. Although the cricket was pretty poor on both sides the home side showed a great deal of determination which had been lacking up to now.
One may well argue that many of Pakistan’s senior players weren’t playing and that Test cricket on a below standard pitch may have led to their downfall but the West Indies were in the same position two years ago when they were outclassed by Bangladesh.
It was also pleasing to see the younger players take some much responsibility in the absence of Chris Gayle and company.
The IPL will be mourning the loss of key Sri Lankan players who have left to battle against England in a Test and ODI series. England has always been a bit of an unhappy hunting ground for Sri Lanka especially when it comes to Test cricket as on many occasions the green and seaming wickets have got the better of their batsmen.
This means the likes of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena and solid middle order batsman Thilan Samaraweera will have to use all their skill if they want to put an England side, still licking their wounds after their poor World Cup, under pressure.
l Dean du Plessis, a veteran cricket commentator, writes exclusively for The Saturday Herald, the newspaper with the biggest sports coverage in the country. He can be contacted on dean [email protected]