South Africa vs England: AB de Villiers issues stark warning to ICC chiefs

Authorities told to focus on saving Tests ahead of his debut as SA captain against England on Thursday

AB de Villiers, training at the Wanderers is leading South Africa for the first time in a Test match (Getty Images)

There exists the inescapable feeling that this wonderful Test series may be marking the beginning of the end. AB de Villiers, one of the world’s most formidable batsmen and South Africa’s new Test captain, energised the debate yesterday by issuing a stark warning.

It was couched in ambassadorial tones, but its meaning was clear: if those running the game do not amend the programme, they can expect either an exodus of players from Test cricket or for the form gradually to expire.

He included himself in the possible list of the possible departed. Although the England captain Alastair Cook, was a shade more optimistic, there was no mistaking his concern that too little is being done to preserve the format that everyone automatically says is the game’s acme.

“I think it is a going concern for ICC [International Cricket Council],” said De Villiers. “They have been talking about it for the last few years, to find a way of keeping everyone fresh. Test cricket is the main format and we all want to be part of that. There are huge traditions and culture in this format, but I truly believe there are one or two areas where we can improve and the guys keep their focus in the right place.”

Referring to the proliferation of lucrative and hugely popular Twenty20 competitions in the modern game, he added: “There are big tournaments going on around the world at the moment and some of them you cannot ignore because financially they do make a huge difference in our lives.

“Obviously, you have to look after that side of it as well. This kind of cricket comes first. International cricket is the main one you want to play and one or two things will have to change in the future in order for that to happen. All I know is there are quite a few guys feeling we are playing a bit too much cricket and just need to get the focus right.”

It is extraordinary that on the eve of a crucial Test match between England and South Africa, the continuation of a riveting series, so much attention should be on the state of the game at large. But a feeling has grown inexorably on this tour that an end is in sight. Empires tend to crumble quickly.

The raison d’être of long bilateral tours is being constantly questioned, provoked partly by the triumph of the T20 Big Bash in Australia, which has hastened the discussion about what Test cricket, in its present format, is for. There seems to be a consensus that it cannot continue like this for much longer, yet the ICC is either failing to address the facts or is impotent to do so.

The idea that the game in general would benefit by being effectively run by three countries – India, Australia and England, who seized control a year ago – is increasingly risible. Things are happening quickly, but not in the ICC’s domain.

On the back of De Villiers’ pertinent comments, Cook was asked if he was worried. Given that England is the only country in the world which can still attract significant audiences for Test cricket – and watch that space when Sri Lanka and Pakistan visit this summer – he was more sanguine. “No, I don’t think we’re reaching the end-game,” he said. “Everyone I see has really enjoyed this series, they have enjoyed a lot of the series we have played recently. Everyone loves Test cricket, everyone knows we have got to protect Test cricket because it is really the ultimate test. You have really earned your stripes if you do well in it over a long period of time.

“As always, as the game progresses and evolves, you can’t stand still. You have to always look at how we can improve the game. With Twenty20 coming in, who’d have said 20 years ago or 10 years ago the effect that would have? I was watching the Big Bash today with 30,000, 40,000 people at the Adelaide Oval. It looked a great spectacle. We can’t stand still as a game.”

Cook brought up the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, which is coming under ever-closer scrutiny but which the governing body maintains is inviolable until at least 2019. By then, it might be too late. England have 16 Test matches this year, part of a vague rankings table which no one really understands except possibly actuaries and artificial intelligence. It may as well be played, therefore, by robots.

“I don’t think Test cricket is going to die, but there are certainly elements of it which you can improve in terms of the structure, when you play it,” said Cook. “The programme is a really interesting one because the Future Tours Programme always seems to be tied up for six years and then when it gets three years into it, like a footballer with his contract, it seems to be extended before you can do anything about it. That is probably the biggest issue.”

De Villiers hinted that he might not necessarily stay as a permanent part of South Africa teams, despite being belatedly offered the Test captaincy. The country is rife with stories about his likely intentions.

“There have been a few rumours floating around – and in most rumours there is always a little bit of truth,” he said. “In the last two or three years I’ve been searching for the right answers to play a little bit less cricket in one way or another, to keep myself fresh and to keep enjoying the game. I’ve found myself on the pitch in the past few years, every now and then, not enjoying myself as much as I should be and that raises concerns. I’ve been searching for answers and speaking to a few people and that has leaked a little bit.

“My focus is on international cricket. I want to play for as long as possible. I have dreams of winning World Cups and No 1 status in Test cricket for as long as possible. I want to get my experience across to the youngsters.

“There are so many dreams I would want to follow again, I would just like to sit down, take some time away from the game, discuss these things and make the right call.”

Somebody, somewhere, preferably in Dubai – ICC HQ – ought to have been listening.