Star Australia batter Steve Smith on Monday expressed his concern over the future of red-ball cricket ahead of the high-profile World Test Championship (WTC) final against India beginning on Wednesday. Cricket, as we know, is undergoing the most significant revolution in its long and storied history. The rapid growth of franchise cricket around the world has put pressure on the international schedule.

While the smaller nations are not playing enough Test cricket, India, Australia and England are effectively driving the longest format. It was, though, ironical that Smith spoke about the uncertain future ahead of the biggest game in Test cricket, i.e. the WTC final.