In the wake of the T20 cricket revolution, the enduring legacy of Test cricket faces a dual onslaught. Renowned Australian cricket luminary Ian Chappell, in a compelling piece for ESPNcricinfo, delves into the alarming state of the red-ball game, spotlighting what he terms the “abysmal pace of play.”

Chappell directs his scrutiny towards the batters, holding them responsible for the stagnation of Test cricket’s rhythm. In his incisive analysis, he decries the sluggish pace, pointing out the lack of initiative from cricket administrators. Despite commendable efforts from players like Ben Stokes to elevate Test cricket’s entertainment factor, Chappell argues that progress is hampered by a lack of proactive measures.

“Why do mid-pitch discussions happen without penalty? Shouldn’t etiquette dictate that batters are ready for their stance when a bowler is poised to deliver?”

Chappell queries, addressing issues ranging from extended breaks, frequent glove changes, and unnecessary boundary replays. He also raised concerns about the Decision Review System (DRS), attributing it to the prolonged nature of decisions and disputes.

Chappell’s critique extends to player behaviour, calling out the allowance for charging at umpires during appeals and the inconsistency in permitting abrupt changes to a batter’s stance.

“Fairness should be a consideration when framing cricket’s laws,”

he asserts, highlighting the need for equitable regulations in the face of evolving cricket dynamics.

Australian cricket luminary Steve Smith isn’t hanging up his Test cricket bat this season, bucking retirement speculation. Despite a less-than-stellar performance by his lofty standards, Smith is still animatedly discussing his ambitions, as clarified by his manager Warren Craig, debunking any parallels with David Warner’s impending retirement after the third Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground next year, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

“At this point in time, I can debunk that (retirement). He is still talking about things he wants to achieve,”

asserted Smith’s manager, as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Widely regarded as a modern-era great, Smith boasts an impressive track record with 9,320 runs in 102 Tests at an average of 58.61, including 32 centuries and 39 fifties. In ODIs, he has notched up 5,356 runs in 155 matches at an average of 43.54, featuring 12 centuries and 32 fifties.

However, this year has proven challenging for Australia’s premier batter. While Smith managed to amass 777 runs in 11 Tests, averaging 43.16with three centuries and two fifties in 20 innings, the figures fall slightly below his habitual standards of averaging in the 50s and 60s in the whites.

In ODIs, Smith’s performance was subdued, accumulating 439 runs at an average of 31.35 and a strike rate exceeding 83, with three half-centuries in 15 innings and a high score of 74. Despite Australia’s triumph in the ICC Cricket World Cup, Smith’s contribution was somewhat lackluster, registering 302 runs in 10 matches at an average of 33.55, with two fifties.

Smith’s aspirations extend to the ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA next year, aiming to secure a unique feat for Australia by holding all three major ICC titles concurrently — the World Test Championship, 50-over Cricket World Cup, and T20 World Cup.

Anticipation also surrounds a blockbuster home series against India, where Smith seeks redemption for Australia’s series losses to India in 2019 and 2021 on home turf. Additionally, he eyes the milestone of becoming the fourth Australian player to reach 10,000 runs on home soil next season.

Amid talks about his future during the Sydney Test against South Africa in January, Smith, unsure about playing another Test in whites at home, hinted at a potential shift. The cricketer’s recent performances in subcontinent conditions against India and the Ashes against England, however, raise questions about a possible decline, with Smith accumulating 518 runs in 17 innings at an average of 34.53, including a century and two fifties in nine matches.

Despite a century in the ICC World Test Championship final, Smith missed opportunities to establish himself as Australia’s biggest-match player in Tests in Delhi, Headingley, The Oval and the ICC Cricket World Cup final.

Former Australian skipper Mark Taylor doesn’t rule out the prospect of Smith experiencing another golden run but cautions that batters typically don’t improve in their mid-thirties.

“It does not mean they are done, but normally you have seen their best by then,” remarked Taylor, adding, “The early 30s would be the purple patch for most players.”

The upcoming home series against Pakistan and West Indies provides Smith with an opportunity to amass a substantial number of runs, capitalizing on his penchant for big challenges. Reflecting on his triumphant return four years ago after the ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal during the Ashes series in England, Smith faced challenges at home against Kiwis and Pakistan, failing to score centuries.

“He had that extra motivation to prove he would come back an even better player – and on pitches that did a bit,” recalled Taylor. “He did that, and funnily enough, he came back in the Australian summer and did not make a lot of runs,” concluded Taylor.