{ "id": "38986", "author": "13", "cnmid": "0", "title": "Kevin Pietersen's formula to reinvigorate Test cricket", "lang": "en", "series": "1", "cup_year": "2018", "article_type": "General", "excerpt": "Bengaluru, June 13 (CRICKETNMORE):  Former England captain Kevin Pietersen on Tuesday suggested various methods like day-night Tests, equal pay, marketing and innovation and cheaper tickets to reinvigorate Test cricket. Speaking at the 6th MAK Pataudi Memorial Lecture, the 37-year-old, who", "subtype": "", "editor1": "

Bengaluru, June 13 (CRICKETNMORE): <\/strong> Former England captain Kevin Pietersen on Tuesday suggested various methods like day-night Tests, equal pay, marketing and innovation and cheaper tickets to reinvigorate Test cricket.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Speaking at the 6th MAK Pataudi Memorial Lecture, the 37-year-old, who also became the first non-Indian cricketer to deliver the lecture, insisted on making the five-day format the pinnacle of cricket but felt that every format must be respected. <\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Having played every form of cricket in every corner of the cricketing globe, I remain 100 per cent convinced that the five-day Test remains the supreme form of the game," the 37-year-old expressed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Also praising the shortest format of the game, Pietersen said: "20-20 provides the thrill, the noise, the speed and no little genius. It has taken fielding to a new level and has redefined batting."<\/p>\r\n\r\n

However, with the longest form of the game witnessing a drop in popularity, worrying cricketing boards and Test fans, the right-hander came up with some ideas to keep the format breathing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Let's make Test cricket a spectacle. Garnish it with colour and fireworks. Fill the grounds. Play in the evenings. Give the umpires microphones to broadcast to the spectators," Pietersen opined.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Allow sledging -- as long as it remains the right side of the line. Communicate better with the fans," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Not only about the technicalities, Pietersen also spoke on the financial aspects to repackage Test format.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Let's throw equal marketing clout behind the Test game before we succumb to the lazy assumption that 20-20 rules," the former cricketer proposed, beside backing the idea of a World Test Championship and providing cheaper tickets.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Push the profile of the world test championship. Develop marketing opportunities. Offer cheaper seats in the ground to provide a better spectacle for TV viewers," Pietersen recommended.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

He also backed handsome pay for cricketers featuring in the five-day games, which would give them financial security.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Ensure that they (cricketers) are paid as well over five days as they are over five hours of 20-20 cricket. You can't blame a player for seeking financial security through his or her sporting talent," Pietersen, who featured in 104 Tests for England, said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The 37-year-old didn't forget to wish luck to the Afghanistan cricket team, which is all set to debut in the longest format of the game against India on June 14.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"The squad, the management, and all those who helped you get here. You guys are sitting on the very edge of history. The doom mongers say this is a dying form of the game, but you have it within your grasp to keep it alive. You are representing a population of 36 million people," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"Your country has scaled the ladder across the shorter forms of the game but this is bigger and better," he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

"The headline writers around the globe are waiting! You are changing the perception of your country that has been in the news for the wrong reasons for far too long."<\/p>\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2018\/06\/Kevin-Pietersen.jpg", "alt_img": "Kevin Pietersen's formula to reinvigorate Test cricket", "alt_title": "Kevin Pietersen's formula to reinvigorate Test cricket", "image1": "", "video": "", "seo_title": "Kevin Pietersen's formula to reinvigorate Test cricket", "seo_desc": ".", "seo_keywords": "Test Cricket, Kevin Pietersen", "tag": "", "tagging": "Test Cricket,Kevin Pietersen,", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": "0", "slug": "kevin-pietersens-formula-to-reinvigorate-test-cricket", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": "0000-00-00", "ians_time": "00:00:00", "server_time": "0000-00-00 00:00:00", "trash": "0", "view_count": "1660", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2018-06-13 01:28:03", "updated": "2018-06-13 01:29:17", "img_from": "Twitter", "img_source": "", "schedule_publish": "0000-00-00 00:00:00", "news_keywords": null, "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "0", "google_feed": "0", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "1", "jio_date": "2018-06-13 01:28:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": "2018-06-13 01:28:03", "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "england_cricket": "0", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/kevin-pietersens-formula-to-reinvigorate-test-cricket-38986" }