Cricket purists - How many of you watch Test matches completely?

[Joseph Gomes]

I see a lot of people claiming that test cricket is the alpha format, everything else is joke/not cricket. So those of you who love test cricket and consider it the pinnacle of sports, how many of you watch 5 day match entirely? I am sure you take an hour break to eat/poop/shower etc. But how many test matches have you watched whole?

Please answer honestly, I want to see how many people actually watch all the test matches possible.

 

[amit]

A better question would be how many watched Pakistan v West Indies tests over IPL. I would be 1 of them

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

I won't claim to having watched every single ball however I can safely say whenever Pakistan is playing test matches I do get to watch 80-85% of the entire 5 days.

I hardly miss Test matches, however I can literally go a whole LOI tour without having any problems.

T20s I do not watch at all and only look at highlights if I read something interesting happened via Pakpassion, Twitter etc etc

 

[Arham_PakFan]

It's not possible to watch every ball of a test match,but I can say that I watched 90% of each match we played in the West Indies.And I'm not exactly a test purist.I believe T20 is the future.

 

[msb314]

I try to watch as much as I can but work and other duties prevent me from doing so.

 

[Arsalan Pro]

I watch each and every cricket match related to Pakistan, whichever the format.

I try my best not to miss a single ball from Day 1 to Day 5 and even watch it while studying for my exams.

 

[AamirWarraich]

No one can do it these days to be honest. I can't remember the last time I watched every ball of a Test. There are definitely times where I watch every ball of a day. But to expect someone to watch every single ball of the match is too unrealistic. Let's be completely honest here. It is just a game at the end of the day. And there are far more important things in life.

Not watching every single ball doesn't necessarily mean you love the sport any less.

 

[Da_Future_Knick]

I can't remember the last time I missed a Pakistan match.

I remember being 11 and watching Pakistan lose to Ireland after I took a day off from school because I was "sick".

Even after playing division 1 basketball in college, I always watched Pakistan play even if it was at 4 am.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

I can't remember the last time I missed a Pakistan match.

I remember being 11 and watching Pakistan lose to Ireland after I took a day off from school because I was "sick".

Even after playing division 1 basketball in college, I always watched Pakistan play even if it was at 4 am.

bro every Pakistani fan was sick the next day after that Ireland game

 

[todfod 11]

i use to watch test cricket before but not anymore..
The standard of test cricket is falling, hardly any crowd hardly any excitment.I remember days when i use to watch ball by ball but T20 is future. Odis i skip from over no. 25 to over no. 35 unless some batsmen is on a rampage.

 

[GullyCricketFlop]

I never miss Pakistan's matches,even if I have an exam next day.I'm not even a purist!

 

[talha_mk]

I see a lot of people claiming that test cricket is the alpha format, everything else is joke/not cricket. So those of you who love test cricket and consider it the pinnacle of sports, how many of you watch 5 day match entirely? I am sure you take an hour break to eat/poop/shower etc. But how many test matches have you watched whole?

Please answer honestly, I want to see how many people actually watch all the test matches possible.

I actually traveled to Dominica for the third test. Probably the only Pakistan fan out there!

 

[Slog]

View attachment 74129

I actually traveled to Dominica for the third test. Probably the only Pakistan fan out there!

lol i saw atleats 50 pak fans on tv there

 

[Slog]

I see a lot of people claiming that test cricket is the alpha format, everything else is joke/not cricket. So those of you who love test cricket and consider it the pinnacle of sports, how many of you watch 5 day match entirely? I am sure you take an hour break to eat/poop/shower etc. But how many test matches have you watched whole?

Please answer honestly, I want to see how many people actually watch all the test matches possible.

i dont think many will claim to watch a Test match ball by ball

but i follow it like this
day 1 -85%
day 2 & 3 - 70%
day 4 - 80%
day 5 - 50-100% (depending on how likely a result is)

the point is as a %age of number of overs i watch Tests play more than ODIs and T20Is

i honestly can go a whole series without watching the LO leg of a tour

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Depends on the quality of cricket. Australia v SA v England, I could watch 90% of the match, time permitting.

For Pakistan, I mostly tune in to watch Babar, Sarfaraz and the tail. Watch most of the bowling.

 

[Hawkeye]

OP has got something wrong.

Nobody claims to watch 100% of a Test match. Heck, not even ODIs in many cases.

BUT keeping a strong check, watching 50-70% of the match and the rest checking scores etc is as good as watching the full match.

You don't need to be glued to the TV.

 

[Pak_lover6]

I usually watch 60 to 65 percent of the matches involving Pakistan .

 

[lucky_fish]

Wow. I must be the only one then!!
Sky plus always and I'll watch games around work/kids. Whether a test match takes me 5 days or 10. I'll keep away from scores/news etc until I've seen it all. Same with LOI and T20. That's only the Pak games mind!! Surely someone else must do this also!!

 

[Abdullah]

I use the record facility and pause function. Watched 90% of the pak v windiest testart
Haven't watched any ipl game except highlights (which r only on weekend games-otherwise they show the full game repeat)

 

[waleed88]

I watch 10-15% of the match, mostly the highlights... never seen a whole test match all my life.

Test cricket is something you watch for half an hour in between other things in life, get bored but then you see something interesting and see it again for another half hour...

 

[waleed88]

I find reading comments on PP more interesting than the match itself, then something interesting happens and you do want to see all of it..

Like the maghrib chase where we chased 300 down in 60 overs

 

[bilalmasaud]

i do ! i remember watching the 5 match test series in 2000 between west indies and england every single ball the series where ambrose retired! after that i think i do my best watching as much as my work will permit if i don't watch i do read the missed overs ball by ball commentary! yes i am a nerd when it comes to that i can't have any ball details missed! Now though that is limited to mostly pakistan test matches and if time permits some others

 

[Markhor]

i do ! i remember watching the 5 match test series in 2000 between west indies and england every single ball the series where ambrose retired! after that i think i do my best watching as much as my work will permit if i don't watch i do read the missed overs ball by ball commentary! yes i am a nerd when it comes to that i can't have any ball details missed! Now though that is limited to mostly pakistan test matches and if time permits some others

That was a fantastic series.

I'd say when Pakistan are involved, it depends. If we're touring England I'm glued to the action.

If we're playing in the UAE in front of the stuffed toys in the crowd; on slow, placid pitches where ball is carrying at knee height and the match is progressing at 2 RPO then about 50%.

 

[bilalmasaud]

That was a fantastic series.

I'd say when Pakistan are involved, it depends. If we're touring England I'm glued to the action.

If we're playing in the UAE in front of the stuffed toys in the crowd; on slow, placid pitches where ball is carrying at knee height and the match is progressing at 2 RPO then about 50%.

it was an amazing series! i was hoping for a west indies victory! as for watching in UAE i actually like the slowness of the game... its like a tv series going up at a small pace till the climax ... final day is usually one hell of a climax instead of england where a lot is decided in the first innings ... two very different set of test match scripts and i enjoy them both equally ... yes watching the ball swing and carry is more aesthetically pleasing but watching a grind is equally satisfying to me atleast

 

[Space Cat]

I would love to sit in watch a test match in its entirety but its not really possible without taking time off work.

 

[Hasan123]

I try to watch as much of the game as possible. What I miss I will watch the highlights.

 

[Itachi]

Last time I watched full test was in 2005 I guess.... Gosh time flies fast.

 

[Hawkeye]

I would love to sit in watch a test match in its entirety but its not really possible without taking time off work.

Dayem [MENTION=131138]Space Cat[/MENTION] - post often, we need more NZ perspective here.

 

[Big Mac]

Did I watch every ball of the test?

Well, except for that one time I went out to get a pizza during the lunch break and missed a few overs.

 

[PakLFC]

It is simply not practical to watch entire Test matches. Firstly, lets face it they are incredibly boring especially the in between parts when not much is happening. Most people have to work or study, they have bills to pay and earn a living. I take it session by session depending on how exciting the match is if Pak are playing, find it difficult to watch an entire days play even if I am not working. Rarely do I take interest in Tests if Pak are not playing.

 

[shaz619]

Did I watch every ball of the test?

Well, except for that one time I went out to get a pizza during the lunch break and missed a few overs.

Pretty much the same as me except I order pizza online and miss a couple of balls when I go downstairs to pick up me food

 

[Big Mac]

Pretty much the same as me except I order pizza online and miss a couple of balls when I go downstairs to pick up me food

I'm pretty sure that is enough to declare scientific proof of a connection between people who eat pizza while watching every ball of test matches and understanding cricket.

Meanwhile those people who only watch occasionally and rely on scorecards and youtube highlights don't understand cricket and worry only about strike rates and googlies.

 

[Rayyman]

I can't remember the last time I missed a Pakistan match.

I remember being 11 and watching Pakistan lose to Ireland after I took a day off from school because I was "sick".

Even after playing division 1 basketball in college, I always watched Pakistan play even if it was at 4 am.

Bro our Knicks need a new point guard. You got this.

On topic, I'll watch the Pakistan matches. If I'm not busy. Even If I am at college, I will keep up with match by reading PP commentary.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

I have done this for 15 years ie when not at School or College but not anymore.

 

[Bilal7]

As if watching every single delivery of a test series proves whether or not you think that test cricket is the alpha format. To answer your question, not very many but the amount I have watched has been better than 90% of all ODIs and nearly every single T20.

Tests > ODIs >>> IT20s >>> domestic T20s

 

[Sanzcool]

Watching Test Match depends on the surface.

If its a batting pitch - CBA, may be when my team bats 60%
If its a dust bowl or seaming pitch---80% if am free

 

[Space Cat]

Dayem [MENTION=131138]Space Cat[/MENTION] - post often, we need more NZ perspective here.

I might start posting a bit more with champions trophy coming up.

 

[Naim]

it is not possible to watch every ball. but i watch 60 to 70% of a test match.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

im a cricket fanatic - like a proper lunatic fanatic level fanatic - for pakistan cricket. but even it is impossible for me to watch full t20 matches involving pakistan let alone test cricket.

the problem isn't about watching or contributing just through eyeballs, we are part of a global cricket ecosystem and we help in the cricket growth. i frequent this site a lot, that probably helps the statistics here, makes it more prominent in the world of sport. then there are other cricket sites that we visit, during games and follow live score cards.

we buy books related to sport, purchase subscriptions as well and keep the game running in a way even we do not watch every ball of a test match.

the best thing about test cricket is that it offers viewers a strong recall; the pain or glory lingers. i even feel the pain for test matches that were even before i was born - or am still ecstatic about wins that ive no idea about. the feeling of contempt lingers, and herein lies the true beauty of test cricket.

t20 is good cricket - it is fun, it is enjoyable but i barely recall the t20 series that happened in west indies like a month ago. the test series however will linger with me until i keep my memory. that is why it is beautiful and that is why when test cricket eventually dies out and remains a purist pursuit in a few countries, i will mourn its death.

 

[IAJ]

I never watch an entire day of Test cricket. And it depends on where the match is played because of timings. For me Tests in West Indies are best as they start 1530-1630 norwegian time and that is perfect after work. But since I have 3 kids I have enough to do after work also so I mostly watch around 20 overs; When I have my afternoon tea, dinner and tea after that.

And btw you actually don't need to see a single ball to understand that the Test cricket is the real deal..

 

[Chrish]

Unless you are living in a parents basement type of guy, it's impossible to watch the entire game and still be able to make a living or have a life outside

 

[Hawkeye]

I never watch an entire day of Test cricket. And it depends on where the match is played because of timings. For me Tests in West Indies are best as they start 1530-1630 norwegian time and that is perfect after work. But since I have 3 kids I have enough to do after work also so I mostly watch around 20 overs; When I have my afternoon tea, dinner and tea after that.

And btw you actually don't need to see a single ball to understand that the Test cricket is the real deal..

You get free around 1500? That's awesome, what kinda work is that.

 

[IAJ]

You get free around 1500? That's awesome, what kinda work is that.

Accounting, I am usually at office around 0700 in the morning and done by 1500, only twice a month I need to work a bit overtime because of closing of accounts, other than that it's chill. I also work a few hours at home here and there so I can go earlier when needed.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

I love watching test matches irrespective of whether Pakistan is playing or not. Especially always look forward to see my favorite players and youngsters.
Though I dont enjoy test matches in Sri Lanka, and West Indies when Pak is not playing. Dont feel a connection and they are boring too. But sometimes there are gems like Ind - SL series last test when Pujara scored a series winning century.

 

[Robert]

When I was unemployed in the early nineties I watched tests from start to finish.

Now I listen to the radio at work.

 

[MMHS]

I watch Test cricket in patches, when I am free or not working on lap top (or something that needs attention & focus). But, this is from someone, who didn't watch the rest part of Liverpool - West Ham match after it became 3-0.

BUT, I do follow Test cricket by almost every ball - either by mobile internet, or by radio, if the game is alive. Even, if that's not possible, I do make time for daily highlights, and I do read the CricInfo ball by ball script at the end of the day, if I haven't seen it live, just to have an idea of the drama. However, I have NEVER watched Test in stadium (In fact, I hardly have gone to stadium in last 10-12 years for a cricket match) - that's the life of a 21st century young-man; you don't need to be glued for 30 hours to follow a game or show your interest.

Of the 3 formats, I probably watch most is ODI (in terms of total air time - in term of % air time, it's not even a contest), while I don't even bother to follow dead Tests are Day 3. I watch very selective T20s, but do follow the scores. Overall, cricket is probably distinctively 2nd or 3rd after soccer, in my order of preference - on Saturdays & Sundays, I often don't even post in PP during league matches.

 

[Syed1]

Test Match cricket is boring specially when mediocre sides like Pakistan are playing. I did eagerly follow the Pak vs England series and watched two or three complete sessions in each test. For the Windies series the longest period that I saw was the last hour or so on the last day.

Nobody has time for 5 days of mind-numbingly bore cricket with the likes of Azhar Ali and Misbah ul Haq tuk tuking ball after ball.

 

[last_knight]

LOIs or Test Cricket : What I will prefer if I were to get two months off? Test Cricket all the way. A 5 match series.

 

[DRsohail]

i enjoy test cricket alot specially when pak is batting.....bw tests odi and t20..i spend more time on watching test cricket...odi is boring to watch bw 10th and 40th over and t20 is fun...

 

[EliteCynical]

I do, most of India games at least and depending upon how the games are shaping up, i watch other games too.. The recent Ind vs Aus test series, for 3 tests (1st, 2nd and 4th), i saw all 5 days, every ball. I am based out of US so it was all playing days straight night outs (10 to 5 and later on 11 to 6 when daylight saving came into picture). Was an intense series and loved most of it (only soured by some dull commentary).

 

[khurram39]

Its a matter of time. Still when i have the time I prefer to watch Cricket.

 

[JibranAnsari]

I love to watch good fast bowling in any format , cricket becomes a lesser sport if the two teams playing do not have any good fast bowlers.