Smith, Warner not in favour of four-day Test format

Canberra [Australia], October 25 (ANI): Australian skipper Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner have given a thumbs down to the new concept of four-day Test match format and wished to retain the current structure of the longest format of the game.

"I have no interest in four-day cricket," cricket.com.au quoted Warner, as saying.

Terming the longest format of the cricket as `survival of the fittest`, the 30-year-old said, "It's the longevity, being out there on your legs, it is grit, determination, those things come to my mind to actually want to keep playing five-day cricket."

Showing a little smooth stance over the concept of four-day match, Australian captain Smith insisted that he is personally in favour of the traditional Test format.

"Just the traditional way that Test cricket has been played, I think it is great when you get into that fifth day and enter that last hour, I think it's a really cool part of the game," Smith said.

However, differing with the senior players' opinions, Australia coach Darren Lehmann appreciated the need to trial the concept of four-day Test matches.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had earlier approved the curtailed version of the Test cricket on a trial basis in a recently held board meeting in Auckland.

The sport's governing body has also given nod to a nine-team two-year Test series, which will begin in 2019.

However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) expressed its displeasure over the new Test format and is eager to stick to the traditional format. (ANI)