Test cricket is the trunk of a tree: Dravid

Making a clarion call to secure the future of Test cricket, former India captain Rahul Dravid has suggested the introduction of day-night matches using pink balls while comparing the game's traditional format with the "trunk of a tree".
"We are, I believe, maybe one generation away from reaching the point where our entire youth structures could cater only to T20 without any emphasis on the longer form of the game. By not giving youngsters a chance to explore their versatility, endurance or even improvisational skills, we will be selling ourselves and our sport well short," Dravid said.
The batting great talked about measures to prop up the longer format of the game at a time when it is facing stiff competition from T20 cricket.

"If that means reworking how first-class and Test players can be out on more lucrative contracts, let's get the accountants on this.
"If it means playing day-night cricket, we must give it a try, keep an open mind. The game's traditions aren't under threat if we play Test cricket under lights. I know there have been concerns about the durability of the pink ball, but I have had some experience of it having played for the MCC, and it seemed to hold up okay," Dravid, speaking at the ESPNcricinfo for cricket events: 'The Future of Test Cricket in the Modern Age' at the Oval here, said.

Dravid said Test cricket is a "tough old dog".
"Test cricket, an older, larger entity is the trunk of a tree and the shorter game -- be it T20 or ODIs -- is its branches, its offshoots," he said.