MUMBAI, India (CMC):

ICC president David Morgan has hinted at imminent, radical changes to Test cricket which could see the advent of day/night matches and games reduced from five days to four.

Morgan, head of cricket's governing body, said the changes were just part of a potential overhaul of Test cricket, geared at strengthening this form of the game and making it more viable.

"We need better over-rates, better pitches that give a good balance between bat and ball and we need to consider day-night Test match cricket," the India Today magazine quoted Morgan as saying.

"There is great support for it, the issue is the colour of the ball and the quality of the ball. It would be a pity if Test match cricket - day-night - had to be played with a white ball and therefore coloured clothing.

Ball manufacturing

"We are looking very closely at ball manufacturing design that replicates a red ball, maybe an orange ball, a ball that could still allow us to play in white clothing and still at night.

"Another thought that many people have, that we are examining, is whether Test match cricket can be played over four days rather than five."

The changes were among several discussed at an ICC Board meeting in London last week and which are currently being researched.

Test cricket is widely believed to be under threat especially with the sudden rise of Twenty20 cricket, and administrators have been looking at ways to sustain the game's longest form.

Morgan hinted that he expected some of these innovations to take effect soon.