Former England skippers Alastair Cook and Michael Vaughan have urged changes to Test cricket’s rules, saying the format needs modern tweaks to stay fair and competitive.
Cook wants captains to decide when a new ball can be taken, rather than being restricted to the current 80-over rule. He suggested the option should be open any time after 30 overs, even as late as 160, arguing that the flexibility would give bowlers a better chance of taking 20 wickets, which remains the ultimate goal in Tests.
Vaughan focused on substitutions, saying the rules should extend beyond concussion and wicketkeeping cases. Referring to India’s Rishabh Pant, who missed fielding time with injury but later batted, Vaughan called the system flawed. “You can’t be off the field with an injury and then walk in to bat as if nothing happened,” he said. He added that cricket should follow other sports by allowing medical substitutions under the supervision of an independent doctor.
Their proposals add fuel to the wider debate about how Test cricket should evolve. With rising player workloads, tight international schedules, and the lure of T20 leagues, calls for reform are growing louder as the five-day format fights to remain relevant.
