DUBAI: A top official of cricket’s governing body asserted the first-ever day-night Test will help promote Test matches.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richardson believes the day-night Test is part of a package to lift the five-day format.

“The game needed to understand the demands and expectations of both the fans and its key stakeholders, and Tests played into the evening session will provide an option to countries where Test cricket was facing attendance and commercial issues,” Richardson is quoted in a ICC release.

Most of the countries face the problem of dwindling crowds in Tests and the huge popularity of the Twenty20 cricket endangers its future - a fact Richardson admits.

“The reality is that Test cricket is faced with challenges such as declining crowd attendances in some countries, as well as issues of context and competition for attention from shorter formats of the game,” said Richardson.

“Either we do nothing, and let the appetite for Test cricket die, or deal with the problem head-on and with an innovative and proactive approach.”

Richardson said another step to lift Tests is to provide funds to seven member countries to help them play the longer format.

“It has already been agreed to introduce a Test Cricket Fund from next year which will assist countries with the costs associated with staging Test matches,” said Richardson of the 10 million dollars fund to seven countries except India, Australia and England.

South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and the West Indies will get $12.5 million annually over eight years from January next year.

Richardson said after enhancing prize money other avenues were also considered while Associates are also encouraged to qualify for Tests.

Published in Dawn, November 27th, 2015