Lyon calls four-day Test concept ridiculous, Langer too not keen on change

ICC's proposal to introduce four-day Tests has met with stiff opposition from leading Australia spinner Nathan Lyon, who termed it "ridiculous" while chief coach Justin Langer is also not in favour of tinkering with the traditional format.

Lyon's sharp statement comes just days after Australia CEO Kevin Roberts said that their board is interested in four-day Tests and they could play one against Afghanistan later this year.

"I'm totally against it and I hope ICC aren't even considering it," Lyon said on 'The Unplayable Podcast'.

"You look at all the big games around the world and some of the best Test matches I've been part of, they go down to the last day," he added.

Keen to ease out a crammed calendar, the International Cricket Council (ICC) wants four-day Tests from 2023 as part of World Test Championship.

Langer during an interaction with reporters said that while the option can be looked at, from a personal viewpoint, he won't like any changes.

"My preference - I'm a traditionalist and anyone who knows me, I don't like to change too much - so I probably prefer five-day Test matches," Langer said today in Sydney.

"But again, like with wickets and like with schedules, if four-day Test matches keeps Test cricket alive, then it worth looking at. But I love five days only because I'm boring and don't like to change much."
"It's a challenge," Lyon said on five-day Tests. "You challenge yourself in different ways physically and mentally."
"It's not just a walk in the park. Five-day Test matches, they are hard work especially if the conditions aren't in your favour. You want to challenge yourself. I'm all against four-day Test matches."