Test cricket is not dying, it needs a bit of boost: ICC CEO

ICC CEO Dave Richardson doesn't believe Test cricket has lost its sheen but said the five-day format needs a lit bit of boost to keep the interest alive among fans.

Richardson's statement came in defence of ICC Chairman Shahshank Manohar's recent statement that Test cricket is slowly "dying".

"What he (Manohar) was meaning to say is Test cricket was calling out for more context," Richardson was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"Yes, there are some iconic contests that take place from time to time, but really, unless you are a part of or a fan of the participating teams that particular series had no real interest (to fans globally).

"And with the introduction of the World Test Championship, that adds interest and helps to promote the Test game worldwide no matter who is playing. That is what he was saying: Test cricket needed just that added boost, it needed to be promoted and the World Test Championship hopefully is the answer to that," he added.

ICC Chairman Manohar had recently said that "We are trying to see whether Test championship can generate interest. Because Test cricket is actually dying to be honest."