West Indies legend Brian Lara has added his voice to the ongoing ‘Test vs T20′ debate, highlighting the significant financial disparity between the two formats. Speaking ahead of West Indies’ three-match Test series in England, Lara expressed understanding for players who prioritize franchise cricket over the traditional red-ball format due to the lucrative opportunities it offers.
What Brian Lara says about Test vs T20 debate?
“It’s difficult to blame players for preferring franchise cricket when there’s such a huge disparity in payments,” Lara said. “We have to move on. I think T20 is here to stay.”
Lara’s comments come as West Indies prepare for their upcoming Test series in England, which will feature several uncapped players with limited red-ball experience in English conditions. Notably, only four players from the T20 World Cup squad have been included in the Test squad: Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, and Jason Holder. Holder was replaced by Obed McCoy before the World Cup began, and no batter from the T20 squad was picked for the England Tests.
Lara pointed out the challenges West Indies Test players face in breaking into T20 teams, suggesting they focus on Test matches as a stepping stone. He cited Shai Hope as a prime example of a player whose potential Test career has been overshadowed by franchise cricket. Hope, who made history at Headingley in 2017 with two centuries, is no longer a regular in the Test side.
“By the time he [Hope] scored his two hundreds at Headingley, he was considered to be a future great,” Lara noted. “Today, I think we’re trying to ease him back into Test cricket, but I’m not sure he’s too interested. He’s going to be in the auction for the IPL; he played in the West Indies’ T20 World Cup side.”
Lara emphasized that financial incentives in franchise cricket often restrict players’ red-ball prospects.
“I see a lot of these youngsters still using the Test arena or the opportunity to wear the West Indies colors as a stepping stone,” he said.
He acknowledged that notable performances in ODIs can attract T20 franchise attention, sympathizing with players who prioritize franchise cricket for financial reasons.
While Lara accepted the permanence of T20 cricket, he was critical of the T10 format, calling it “a step too far.” “I would push back against T10,” he opined. “That’s just pushing it too far.”
The West Indies’ Test series against England begins on July 10 at Lord’s, marking the final match for England’s James Anderson. This series, featuring a mix of seasoned and new players, will be crucial for the West Indies as they aim to balance traditional Test cricket with the demands and opportunities of the shorter formats.
Lara’s insights underscore the complexities faced by West Indies cricket in navigating the evolving landscape of the sport. His call for a balanced approach reflects a broader conversation about preserving the essence of Test cricket while adapting to the financial realities and popular appeal of T20 cricket.
Also, see:
How have Pakistan qualified for 2026 T20 World Cup?
