'This is an atrocity': Photograph of new Australian test uniform sparks uproar as fans accuse Cricket Australia of binning 142 years of tradition
- Cricket Australia under fire from fans after unveiling a new era in Test cricket
- New Test uniform will now have numbers and names emblazoned on shirt back
- Shirts will formally unveiled in the upcoming Ashes series against England
- 142 years of tradition in oldest form of the game have been ditched in new era
One photo unearthing a new era in Australian Test cricket has sparked a massive public backlash.
Cricket fans are in a furious spin over Australia's new Test uniform which has ditched 142 years of tradition in the oldest form of the game.
The drastic new look was launched when Australia A took to the field for their four-day match against Sussex in Arundel ahead of the upcoming five-match Ashes series against England.
A photo of Australian Test captain Tim Paine overlooking match preparations with his name and number emblazoned in green on the back of his shirt sparked an overwhelming reaction from furious fans online on Monday.
This photo of Australian captain Tim Paine to unveil a new era in Test cricket has sparked public outcry from cricket fans
Paine will wear the same shirt in the five-Test Ashes series which starts August 1 in Birmingham.
White or cream shirts with no writing or numbers on the back had been long standing tradition dating back to the first ever Test in 1877.
Fans were quick to let Cricket Australia know how they felt about the buck against tradition, taking to social media to slam the governing body.
'This sucks. There's a reason the old way lasted 142 years, it's beautiful in its simplicity. Stop changing things that work,' one fan tweeted.
Another added: 'Don't these idiots realise that the reason test cricket still has relevance is because of its tradition, authenticity and dignity? It's an insult to the people who appreciate it and it's an insult to the people they think they can attract through shallow gimmicks.'
Another fan quipped whether Rugby Australia had taken over.
'This is an atrocity against the classic nobility of Test Cricket. It is hard to imagine a worse Cricket idea than this idiocy. Why do you have to ruin everything?' he tweeted.
Cricket Australia has come under fire from fans after 142 years of tradition were ditched
Other fans were more forgiving, questioning how the change in uniform would make a difference to the game.
'Let's worry about generating an even contest between bat and ball and lifting the standard of Test players in the game. It's the truest, fairest, and most important form of cricket - its future needs protection,' one fan tweeted.
Another added: 'No effect on the game. No harm, no foul.'
England will also take to the field with similar changes to their Test uniform.
The move, announced in March, is part of a promotional plan around the inaugural World Test Championships.
What the back of the old Australian Test match uniform used to look like
Australian batsman Travis Head said he supported the initiative.
'It doesn't bother me in the slightest, and I think if it helps the fans then that's a good thing,' Head told cricket.com.au in March.
'That's why they brought it into Shield cricket, so that people could identify players they probably don't see all that often, especially now with games being live-streamed.'
But former Test bowler Gavin Robertson revealed he wasn't a fan.
'We’ve really got to hold on to tradition in this game. I’m not trying to act old but my old man’s a classic at this, he sometimes gets emotional and gives me the ‘get stuffed’ award. The ‘get stuffed’ award is about please just leave what’s beautiful about the game alone,' he told Fox Sports in March.
Fans are in a furious spin over the new Test uniform with names and numbers on the back
In the limited overs Cricket World Cup, Australia will take on tournament hosts and favourites England at Edgbaston after finishing second in the round robin competition following a surprise loss to South Africa.
The winner will book a place in the final, where they will face either India or New Zealand.
Australia are the reigning champions.
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