The Long and Short of Test Cricket: Defending the Five-Day Story in an Era of One-Day Attention Spans

Let’s rewind to August 2025. The England versus India series had gone the distance, riveting fans from start to finish, and reached its dramatic climax with Mohammad Siraj shattering Gus Atkinson’s off stump at The Oval. Five matches, twenty-five days—ultimately, the series was drawn two-all. But the depth of the contest went far beyond the scoreline. Every session swung like a pendulum; whenever one side seized the initiative, the other struck back. It was test match cricket at its best: a dominant home team facing a fearless young challenger, with neither side giving so much as an inch.

Fast forward a few months. India played host to the West Indies—same format, same whites, same red ball—but, somehow, the magic felt absent. Despite the determination shown by the West Indies, especially during the second innings of the second test, the series felt like a mere formality. There was little hype, scant anticipation—the contest quietly fizzled out.

The contrast between these two series captures the current state of test cricket. One series captivated audiences worldwide; the other barely registered beyond a passing score update. It’s not that the format has lost its magic, but rather that the stage has shrunk. What was once a global spectacle now resembles a private club for those who can afford the luxury of the long game.

The Big Three and the Rest: How Test Cricket Became a Gated Club

Test cricket is the original format—the one that first enchanted devoted cricket lovers. It’s a game that rewards patience, endurance, and subtle shifts in momentum. We tell our families to wait as we watch a pivotal five-over spell with the new ball before stumps. It builds legends and delivers stories richer than any highlight reel.

But today, that stage is narrowing. England, Australia, and India—the Big Three—dominate the calendar. They contest the longest, most anticipated series, fill stadiums, and command global viewership. Not only do they dictate their own schedules, but they also influence those of the other cricketing nations. With so much attention on matches between the Big Three, the remaining test series often feel like afterthoughts—perhaps a two-match encounter squeezed into a broader tour, or a tune-up for bigger contests elsewhere. What was once a competition among equals is now a selective club, where time, attention, and resources are luxuries reserved for a few.

Against this backdrop, the World Test Championship (WTC) emerged—an effort to give every series meaning. Yet, its structure ultimately exposed just how entrenched the advantages of the Big Three truly are.

The World Test Championship Paradox: Structure Without Symmetry

Launched in 2019, the World Test Championship aimed to infuse every test with purpose; no longer would tests feel disconnected. Each contest now contributes points towards a global league table, culminating in a final to crown a champion. In theory, every match, every session, every run matters—whoever is playing.

Points are awarded based on match outcome, with series weighted by the number of games played. Wins, draws, and losses accumulate over a two-year cycle. The goal: reward consistency, foster competitive cricket, and give smaller nations a meaningful chance to rise. The hope was to keep fans engaged and ensure even “smaller” series held significance.

Yet in practice, the WTC has highlighted rather than bridged the gap between teams. The Big Three reap the benefits of longer series, home advantage, and packed schedules—their fan attendance and TV revenues justify the investment. Smaller nations, on the other hand, play fewer matches (often away), sometimes in truncated series. For perspective, in the recent WTC cycle (2023-2025): England played 22 matches (including two five-match series with India and Australia), while Sri Lanka and Bangladesh played just 13 and 12 respectively, none of which exceeded three games. The result? The championship inadvertently reinforces pre-existing hierarchies. Those with resources and followings dominate, while others fight simply to remain part of the conversation.

The Way Forward: Preserving Test Cricket for All

Test cricket still has the power to enthrall—but it can only persist if opportunities aren’t reserved for the privileged few. Consider these steps to keep the long game meaningful:

1. Tweaking the World Test Championship:
   Give smaller teams opportunities for full-length series and the chance to host top sides in their own conditions. While these matches may not draw massive audiences or revenue, they are vital to nurturing a broader, deeper test cricket culture. Perhaps establish an annual window—6–8 months—devoted solely to test cricket, with no limited-overs games, to help sponsors and fans focus.

2. Investment in Infrastructure:
   We all long to see more fairy-tales like Afghanistan’s rise—particularly in the longer format. For emerging cricket nations like Italy, Oman, Nepal, and the USA, making headlines in T20 is a start—but test cricket is a different challenge, requiring robust facilities, coaching, and support from the ICC to build sustainable pipelines of talent.

3. Fan Engagement and Broadcasting:
   There’s a global audience for test cricket, waiting to be tapped. Tell new stories about emerging teams, promote international narratives, and invest in streaming to engage fans, even beyond the major nations.

Five days once meant everything - the shifts in momentum, the slow-burning drama, the week-long tension. Today that magic endures, but only where attention lingers. The hope is that Test cricket revives that feeling for every team, every match, and every fan—helping the long game flourish in a world always looking for what comes next.