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“You Can Take The New Ball…”: Alastair Cook Proposes Radical Twist To Test Cricket Rules

Poulomi Chakraborty

Cook Suggests A Bold Change In Test Cricket (Source: @PCA/x.com)Cook Suggests A Bold Change In Test Cricket (Source: @PCA/x.com)

Over the years, Test cricket has undergone numerous changes, and some of the brainstorming rules have been introduced for the betterment of the format. As the game has already advanced, some veteran English stars have urged for further interesting changes in the longest format of the game.

In a recent podcast, former English skipper Alastair Cook advised a change regarding using the new ball. Along with that, Michael Vaughan added his own game-changing idea to the mix.

Cook Calls For Freedom To Take New Ball Anytime In Tests

Being the purest form of the game of cricket, the Test format has gone through some significant changes, and the experiment is still on. When veteran England star Alastair Cook appeared on the Stick to Cricket podcast, he was asked what change he’d bring to the format. His surprising answer left fans stunned.

As per the ongoing rules, the bowling side can opt for a new ball after 80 overs. Speaking on the podcast, Alastair Cook suggested a bold change. He suggested giving teams two new balls in 160 overs, with the freedom to take the second one anytime.

“A new rule I would add would be, how about, in 160 overs, you can take the new ball whenever you want? You have got two new balls for those 160 overs, and you can take that second ball whenever you want. You could take one after 30 overs if you wanted to,” he said.

Vaughan Suggests A Bold Change In Test Cricket’s Rule Book

Test cricket has had its own substitute rule for years now, but former English player Michael Vaughan has asked for a recent development. Pointing to the recent India-England series where Rishabh Pant batted with a fracture while Dhruv Jurel only filled in as keeper, Vaughan suggested that teams should be given far more freedom in using substitutes.

“In the first innings of a game, let’s say Rishabh Pant takes a knock to his hand. He can still bat but can’t keep wicket. Under current rules, India can’t bring on another keeper like Dhruv Jurel unless it’s a concussion case,’ Vaughan said on the same podcast.


“We have concussion subs, so if somebody gets hit early on the swede, you can replace that person. So why don't we have substitutes? All of the other sports have it - why are we allowing the game to be reduced in quality if someone gets a clip,” he added.

Test cricket never fails to amaze cricket fans. As the game is being modernized every day, the suggested changes can bring more thrills to the format.