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Paine wants players heard on four-dayers

3 minute read

Tim Paine maintains four-day matches should not be used for World Test Championship fixtures and wants player opinion against the idea considered.

TIM PAINE of Australia
TIM PAINE of Australia  Picture: Lee Warren/Gallo Images/Getty Images

Tim Paine wants player opinion considered in the four-day Test debate and maintains they should not be implemented for marquee matches.

Paine has led the chorus of calls against the ICC considering the mandatory reduction of Tests to four days, with Nathan Lyon labelling it "ridiculous" and Travis Head also expressing concern.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis was also opposed to the notion when his team hosted a trial again Zimbabwe in 2017, while New Zealand quick Neil Wagner is too against them.

And while New Zealand Cricket boss David White became the latest administrator to back the positives of the move on Thursday, Paine said player opinion should be listen to.

"It should be taken into consideration," the Australian captain said.

"I dare say going back six or seven years if you let the players have decide on pink ball that probably wouldn't have happened.

"There is always going to be some give and take."

"I think there is some merit on it being in the odd Test like we did with England and Ireland.

"But I think the big marquee Test series, the Test championship stuff has to stay five days."

Two four-day Tests have already been played, but both have involved minnows Zimbabwe and Ireland.

Australia also haven't ruled out hosting Afghanistan in one next summer.

Paine's main objection is whether it would take away from the chances of results, with around 40 per cent of matches going to a fifth day in the past two years.

Three of the five Tests in last years Ashes went into a fifth day.

Australian Test legend Glenn McGrath on Thursday joined Paine in opposing the idea.

"I'm very much a traditionalist. I like the game the way it is," McGrath said.

"Five days is very special. I'd hate to see it go shorter."

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