CA chief Hockley advocates minimum three-Test series

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley will urge other nations to set a three-match minimum for Test series in a bid to fend off fears over the format's possible demise.

In a dire summer for Test cricket, South Africa will send a second-string side to New Zealand this month while West Indies will bring seven rookies on their tour of Australia.

The reality of big-money Twenty20 leagues continues to loom large over the sport, with an ever-growing list of players prioritising the shorter format over Test cricket.

South Africa's governing body have ordered contracted players to feature in their lucrative SA20 competition rather than tour New Zealand.

Hockley on Thursday labelled that situation a wake-up call for the sport, and was adamant more needed to be done to avoid similar scheduling clashes.

A firm backer of Test cricket, Hockley has long believed the World Test Championship can help breathe life back into the red-ball format.

But to do that, he says Test series should include at least three matches – backing similar calls from Pat Cummins and national team coach Andrew McDonald to give greater context.

More than half of all series in the International Cricket Council's (ICC) future tours programme (FTP) for 2023-2027 are scheduled for two Tests.

Of series not involving at least one of India, England or Australia, none are scheduled for three Tests or more.

"The preference is a minimum three-Test series, so we'll keep advocating and championing that," Hockley said on SEN. 

"There is work to be done on the FTP, and it's really cementing the World Test Championship.

"Really advocating for three-Test series as an absolute minimum. 

"And then, as best as we possibly can, making sure that with domestic T20 competitions we minimise the overlap for countries where it is an important source of revenue."

Hockley is adamant Test cricket remains a priority for all countries, but economics remains a big issue.

Players representing nations other than India, England and Australia are paid less by their boards, increasing the lure of T20 franchise deals.

South Africa's current situation comes after years of financial difficulty within the sport in the country, with the SA20 emerging as a money-spinning saviour when launched last year.

All six teams in the SA20 are owned by Indian Premier League franchise holders, with a similar model in the USA's Major League Cricket.

There are fears of players ultimately signing year-long deals with franchises to appear in multiple competitions.

"(The South Africa situation) has been a wake-up call for everyone," Hockley said. "The role of T20, bringing new kids and new people into the game can't be underestimated. 

"Their T20 comp as compared to the Big Bash, we're in our 13th edition. They're in their second. Theirs is quite a short comp. 

"The belief is that (franchise T20 cricket and Tests) can co-exist. But this has shone a light. And certainly, we'll be working with the ICC through scheduling groups to make sure those types of clashes don't manifest."

NRMA Insurance Test series v Pakistan

First Test: Australia won by 360 runs

Second Test: Australia won by 79 runs

Third Test: January 3-7, SCG (10.30am AEDT)

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner

Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi