Former New Zealand captain and India coach John Wright said International Cricket Councils’ approval of day-night Test matches is aimed more for the benefit of the television than for the development of the game.
“I am a traditionalist. I like Test matches being played during the day. It might have been done to attract more viewership and more crowd, but I do not like the idea,” Wright, who was here as brand ambassador of an Auckland-based Southern Institute of Technology, said on Tuesday.
The former Indian coach also did not support the idea of India having different captains for different formats, a concept espoused by the former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly. “We are seeing specialisation in different formats, which may be good. But if the current captain is suitable for all formats, then I do feel any need for a having separate captains,” Wright, who with Ganguly formed a successful partnership in the earlier decade, said.
Wright said India will regain its status on top of the Test rankings if it regains its form of winning overseas matches regularly. “You have to stem the tide and regain the winning form. To be the No. 1 in the world you need to win Tests overseas,” he said.
When asked whether he would prefer India preparing turning tracks against the visiting England side, Wright preferred a more balanced approach. “Everyone looks for the home advantage but I would not endorse a wicket that starts turning from day one. It would be fine to have a good batting strip initially and see turn coming in with the progresses of the match,” Wright said.
Wright also supported Ganguly’s recent decision to stop playing the IPL and bring a full stop to his cricketing career.
