Former England Captains Cook and Vaughan believe Test cricket needed changes to make the longer format of the game more attractive.
Speaking on potential reforms in Test cricket, Alastair Cook suggested that teams should be allowed to take a new ball at any point, starting from the 30th over up to the 160th over, if the bowling side wishes.
Cook, who led England in 59 Tests, suggests that this change would benefit the bowlers a great deal, but at the same time, he says it would also give them a greater chance of picking up 20 wickets in a match more consistently.
Meanwhile, Michael Vaughan emphasized the need to revise the substitute player rule, stating that it shouldn’t be limited only to concussion cases.
He argued, “It’s not acceptable for a player to miss time in the field due to injury, yet return to bat later. That doesn’t align with the spirit of fair play.”
Vaughan cited the recent example of India’s Rishabh Pant, questioning why like-for-like substitutes are permitted for concussions but not for other injuries.
He added, “Other sports allow such substitutions, so why not in cricket? Test cricket should also accommodate substitute players in case of injury, and there should be an independent medical professional to assess and approve such decisions.”
