"Unacceptable": Justin Langer Slams Rapid Two-Day Test Finishes
Former Australian coach and legendary opening batter Justin Langer has issued a stern critique of the modern Test game, labeling the increasing frequency of matches concluding within just two days as “unacceptable.”
Langer’s comments follow Australia’s clinical innings-and-51-run victory over Bangladesh in Mackay this past Sunday. The match, which required only 750 balls to complete, leveled the two-match series at 1-1 after Australia had suffered a shock nine-wicket defeat in the opening Test in Darwin.
The result in Mackay marked the third time in Australia’s last seven Tests that the game has ended inside 48 hours, a trend that has prompted fresh scrutiny regarding the preservation and health of the sport’s longest format.
A Blow to Fans and Economics
Speaking on SEN Radio, Langer emphasized that such brief encounters are detrimental to the cricket ecosystem. “Two-day Test matches are unacceptable. It’s no good for the game for so many reasons. Last year was disappointing for the crowds, for the kids who get to watch their heroes on TV or listen on the radio or get to the ground,” he stated.
Beyond the impact on supporters, Langer highlighted the severe economic repercussions. “Economically, it’s a disaster for Cricket Australia, who put money into grassroots cricket. And you know, we’re talking about very well-paid professionals now, and you get tired of hearing, ‘Oh, it’s just the pitches, oh, it’s the curators, it’s the ball moves a bit.’”
The "Dying Art" of Batting Technique
While conditions in Mackay proved challenging, characterized by extra bounce and lateral movement, Langer argued that the root cause lies in deteriorating fundamental skills rather than solely the pitch or the ball.
"I think a lot of it is down to basic batting technique," said the former opener, who played 105 Tests for his country. "Almost every dismissal has been batters; their front foot has not gone past the front line. It’s just basic technique, and it’s footwork patterns."
Langer noted that in his current coaching roles, he often finds that even professional players lack an understanding of fundamental batting tenets. "I’ve just come back from England; there are a couple of batters who are in our Hundred team who are also wanting to become Test players… you say some things to them which are so basic for us in the game, and their eyes light up like you’re teaching them magic for the first time."
Bangladesh Seeks Consistency and Exposure
For Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, the series has been a steep learning curve. While he acknowledged that his side did not perform at their best in Mackay—falling for 64 and 95 in their respective innings—he remained optimistic about the lessons learned.
"As the Bangladesh Test team, we didn’t play our best match," Shanto admitted. "There is a little bit more extra bounce and swing in the air. So it’s challenging for us. But as a team, if we want to go forward, we need to adjust to this condition."
Despite the heavy defeat, Shanto pointed to the resilience shown by his bowlers, specifically Shoriful Islam, who claimed an impressive 7/48, alongside contributions from Taskin Ahmed and Hasan Mahmud.
Reflecting on their historic win in Darwin, Shanto made an impassioned plea for more consistent exposure to foreign conditions. "Not long, long term, like 23 years of coming here and playing two Test matches… if we have that chance to play every single year, it will help us to improve our game."
As cricket authorities grapple with the balance between challenging wickets and a competitive product, the calls from figures like Langer to address the "unacceptable" nature of abbreviated Tests seem likely to grow louder. To read more about this incident, see the full report here.
