Sobers backs day-night Tests to be a hit

West Indies legend Garfield Sobers has backed day-night Test matches to be a hit with spectators while bemoaning the cash-rich Twenty20 leagues that he believes are eroding Test cricket by luring some money-hungry players away from the longest form of the sport.

The 79-year-old, regarded by some as cricket's greatest allrounder, said he did not think the 20-over game would fade away, but said he supported the idea of day-night Test matches to win back spectators for the longest form, which he said was the "utmost" for any player.

Sobers added playing day-night Test matches could also increase the number of people interested in playing the sport.

"I think day and night cricket will bring back some of those players too. It is a good move to have Test cricket day and night. I am all in favour of that."

Sobers lamented the huge amount of money offered to players by T20 tournaments, especially the Indian Premier League (IPL).

"I think Twenty20 has taken a toll," he said while on a visit to Sri Lanka as chief guest at the second Test between hosts Sri Lanka and West Indies starting in Colombo Thursday.

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Former Sri Lanka skipper Michael Tissera and Sobers with the trophy named in their honour // Getty

He had no objection to the 50-over one-day matches and described them as "quite good".

Asked if he thought T20 tournaments had destroyed the purists' game of Test, he said: "I think so. I think it certainly destroyed West Indies cricket, I'll tell you that."

However, he lamented that many players did not put in their best for their country.

"There is a lot of money in the game today and a lot of players don't have the same heart and the same ideas as I did ... my obligation was to West Indies cricket."

He said many players in the current West Indies team were marking time to sign up for the IPL and not concerned about playing as a team.