"I don't even call T20s cricket, it's circus entertainment" : Michael Holding

[Abdullah719]

Test cricket faces a bleak future with the sport's administrators failing to control the 'runaway weed' of the hugely popular Twenty20 format, former West Indies pace bowler Michael Holding says.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced its 2018 schedule on Tuesday and despite seven Tests being included none of them will take place in June or July when one-day matches against Australia and India take centre stage.

Holding said it was an example of the five-day format playing second fiddle despite a thrilling second test between England and West Indies at Headingley providing five captivating days for large crowds.
"A strong future for Test cricket? I don't think so," Holding said.

"No, the administrators keep talking about preserving Test match cricket but you name me one thing that they have done to preserve it. Next year (England) are having seven Test matches. Two in May and none in June and July.

"The best part of the summer will be all rubbish (Twenty20 cricket). I don't even call that cricket. It's Barnum and Bailey circus entertainment. Test match cricket is a test of your ability and your strength of character over an extended period.

"If you go through the short forms of the game you will see how many bad teams beat the good teams. In test match cricket you hardly ever see a bad team beat a good team."

Holding, who was part of the West Indies' golden generation who dominated the game in the 1970s and 1980s, said only a two-division system would work as the International Cricket Council (ICC) looks to expand the number of Test-playing nations.

"There has to be consequence and relevance to Test match cricket, but it will never happen," the 63-year-old said.

"Money is all that matters to the administrators. The game doesn't matter. I wouldn't get rid of Twenty20 but I would limit it to domestic cricket. The trouble is it's difficult to change now because it's like a weed run wild."

http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/09/07/06/08/t20-rubbish-just-not-cricket-holding

 

[CricketAnalyst]

"I don't even call T20s cricket"

I wish all these people who don't call T20s as cricket can the just separate the two.

Have different boards, different administrations and just make them separate sports and let them compete with each other.

Just watch how fast Test dies if that happens. If you want to bad-mouth T20, then don't live off the earnings it generates.

 

[R0H1T]

"Money is all that matters to the administrators. The game doesn't matter. I wouldn't get rid of Twenty20 but I would limit it to domestic cricket. The trouble is it's difficult to change now because it's like a weed run wild."

Says the guy who went to play WSC, hypocrisy at its finest!

Though agree with the point that tests should've been played in July instead of shifting them earlier, or later, for LO cricket.

 

[Hasan123]

Harsh to call t20 cricket that. The world t20 has been entertaining and it's a way of expanding cricket

 

[kingusama92]

Cricket is a business.

If fans want T20 cricket, they get T20 cricket.

 

[SM1989]

Get over it Michael Holding

Test cricket is boring overall. T20 is here to stay.

 

[CanadianG00se]

The same circus entertainment is providing lifeline to test cricket in many countries. People like him makes me wish that test cricket just dies off soon enough. Apart from few test fans here and there, dont think masses gives a damn about test cricket.

WORLD CUP>>>>> Champions Trophy>>>>Wt20>>>>>>Boring test series.

 

[R0H1T]

The same circus entertainment is providing lifeline to test cricket in many countries. People like him makes me wish that test cricket just dies off soon enough. Apart from few test fans here and there, dont think masses gives a damn about test cricket.

WORLD CUP>>>>> Champions Trophy>>>>Wt20>>>>>>Boring test series.

You mean IPL (domestic T20) >>>>> anything else, in terms of money & eyeballs

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

IPL master race getting triggered en masse.

What a bouncer from Michael Holding

T20 cricket is circus, indeed.

Although, I'm fine with random T20 world cups.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Test cricket is a patient in vegetative coma, T20 sustains this worthless relic of antiquity. Test cricket by its own would not survive in 21st century. Holding is a bitter, old fool who's stuck in the past

 

[ipl_fan]

All the judgemental dinousars have no stake in cricket now. They just sit back and pass a high handed statement.

 

[ahmedwaqas92]

Beautiful from Holding !!



I am ok with T20 World Cups and Tournaments though

 

[Junaids]

Mikey has missed the point

The ECB has scheduled 20 and 50 overs cricket next June because it knows that all (non-Indian) UK residents will be watching the football World Cup, not cricket.

June and July 2018 is a nightmare scheduling slot. It's a graveyard.

 

[kingusama92]

Mikey has missed the point

The ECB has scheduled 20 and 50 overs cricket next June because it knows that all (non-Indian) UK residents will be watching the football World Cup, not cricket.

June and July 2018 is a nightmare scheduling slot. It's a graveyard.

June? Yes.

July? No.

England will be out by June 26-28.

 

[Hitman]

Someone needs to remind him of his participation in the Kerry Packer circus. Where were his virtues at that time?

 

[Poutine]

Why do only some Indian fans get mad when someone attacks T20s? Why do you guys take criticism of T20s as a personal insult?

 

[ToeCrusher2]

Why do only some Indian fans get mad when someone attacks T20s? Why do you guys take criticism of T20s as a personal insult?

It's the Pakistani who are obsessed with t20s, the Indian international team barely plays any t20s throughout the year whereas the Pakistan team plays the most t20s, oh the irony

 

[j_kazmi]

This stuff about t20 not being cricket is actually the real thing killing cricket. We need to admit that t20 is part of the sport and it actually is a great sport to watch. Of course it's not as tough or depending on who you ask as good as test cricket but it's still cricket.

 

[leatherface58]

They said the same for ODIs. Holding simply working the gimmick as disgruntled former cricketer.

 

[Poutine]

It's the Pakistani who are obsessed with t20s, the Indian international team barely plays any t20s throughout the year whereas the Pakistan team plays the most t20s, oh the irony

Read my post again, I am talking about fan reaction not who plays T20s more. Just look at this thread, some Indian posters are fuming at Holding's comment while supporters of other countries don't seem to be that hurt.

And it's not just this thread, this seems to be the case every time someone says anything negative about T20s.

 

[sachin100]

Read my post again, I am talking about fan reaction not who plays T20s more. Just look at this thread, some Indian posters are fuming at Holding's comment while supporters of other countries don't seem to be that hurt.

And it's not just this thread, this seems to be the case every time someone says anything negative about T20s.

So why should they take it easy? Is it a must? Let others have theirs and u have u r own.

Dont speak for others. We don't want u to speak for or against us.

Please stick to u r opinion

 

[sachin100]

Read my post again, I am talking about fan reaction not who plays T20s more. Just look at this thread, some Indian posters are fuming at Holding's comment while supporters of other countries don't seem to be that hurt.

And it's not just this thread, this seems to be the case every time someone says anything negative about T20s.

By the same token we can say something regarding u r posting history and u r opinions right?

U r no one to question what others think. U say what u think on the topic and not on what others said

 

[sachin100]

Read my post again, I am talking about fan reaction not who plays T20s more. Just look at this thread, some Indian posters are fuming at Holding's comment while supporters of other countries don't seem to be that hurt.

And it's not just this thread, this seems to be the case every time someone says anything negative about T20s.

This Forum is for discussions and not taking jabs on others.

 

[Poutine]

So why should they take it easy? Is it a must? Let others have theirs and u have u r own.

Dont speak for others. We don't want u to speak for or against us.

Please stick to u r opinion

Why are you getting so worked up? All I asked was why do Indian fans seems to defend T20s more than other people? This is a discussion forum and that's what I am doing. Not sure why you take that as speaking against you.

Anways if you think there is something wrong with my post, please report it to the Mods or a make a thread on the MR. Also I am not going to reply to all three of your post because all seem to be saying the same thing,

 

[Robert]

LO to test cricket is junk food to gourmet meal.

 

[sachin100]

Why are you getting so worked up? All I asked was why do Indian fans seems to defend T20s more than other people? This is a discussion forum and that's what I am doing. Not sure why you take that as speaking against you.

Anways if you think there is something wrong with my post, please report it to the Mods or a make a thread on the MR. Also I am not going to reply to all three of your post because all seem to be saying the same thing,

Why shouldn't they defend t 20? Why r u questioning their response?

 

[Poutine]

Why shouldn't they defend t 20? Why r u questioning their response?

I am not questioning their response rather I am curious about why Indians fan defend T20s more than others fans. Is it because IPL?

 

[Bilal7]

Pakistan is the most successful IT20 team and I still agree with Holding that bilateral T20s should be scrapped and replaced with an international T20 league tournament, where the best two or three domestic T20 teams from each country compete amongst themselves.

The T20 World Cup should stay but should be held every four years, not two. The domestic leagues can continue to compete with each other but the IPL window should be scrapped and be replaced with the aforementioned ICC T20 League window so things are much more fair.

 

[Rafa]

LO to test cricket is junk food to gourmet meal.

Test Cricket is inferior compared to history of ODI World Cups.

 

[Bilal7]

This thread is very useful in exposing all the kiddies on this forum who are unable to appreciate test cricket.

 

[sachin100]

I am not questioning their response rather I am curious about why Indians fan defend T20s more than others fans. Is it because IPL?

Indians don't care about t 20 s that much. They care more about team winning outside of india like eng, aus and south Africa.

But u r posting as if Indians care only about t 20 and indirectly questioning their wisdom

 

[Saj]

Good old Mikey.

At a Test match I once asked him if he was commentating on the upcoming T20Is. He looked at me as if he was going to kill me

 

[Markhor]

You'd think Holding had cursed someone's mother given some of the replies here. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Cricket formats are like choices on a restaurant menu. Some people have a sweet tooth, others prefer to snack on a starter whereas someone else may just be interested in a main course.

It's important the administrators find a balance between the formats. T20s are a great way to expand the appeal of cricket to new audiences but there should be windows as they're increasingly clashing with international schedules. Take the IPL which means West Indies have had to shift their home season to what's their rainy season (June/July).

I do think Test cricket must change with the times - even if you think its the premier format you cannot deny the regular images of empty stands in Tests outside England and Australia is a worrying sight. Hence why the introduction of day-night matches and a World Championship should be welcomed. I'd also keep an open mind to 4 day Tests.

 

[Thomaskutty]

Good old Mikey.

At a Test match I once asked him if he was commentating on the upcoming T20Is. He looked at me as if he was going to kill me

Holding sounds like he's full of himself. Audiences worldwide have taken to the t20 format but old mikey is above it all and knows what is proper.

Maybe he should be less snobbish , be more constructive and tell us why test viewership is falling.

 

[kingusama92]

Whether people like it or not, T20s are propping Test cricket up. On its own, the format is commercially dead (minus the Ashes)

Just look at the PSL.

It gets way more traction on PP than a Pakistan test match. That should say it all about fan interest.

 

[Robert]

Test Cricket is inferior compared to history of ODI World Cups.

In what respect, though? India beat WI in the WC final, then got flattened by the same opposition in tests and ODIs in their back yard. What did the WC therefore reveal about which side was better?

Gower and Botham once took a World Cup off because they couldn't be bothered to play in it.

 

[sachin100]

In what respect, though? India beat WI in the WC final, then got flattened by the same opposition in tests and ODIs in their back yard. What did the WC therefore reveal about which side was better?

Gower and Botham once took a World Cup off because they couldn't be bothered to play in it.

May be because they r rubbish at it. So many eng players skipped difficult tours to aus, wi in their history.

English players are not the brightest lot in odis any way. Even in test cricket they were not world beaters at any time

 

[CricketAnalyst]

LO to test cricket is junk food to gourmet meal.

Test cricket is one gigantic cauldron of mass cooked food with endless quantity but no flavour.

White-ball cricket is small quantity of exceptional food.

Quality>Quantity.

 

[R0H1T]

In what respect, though? India beat WI in the WC final, then got flattened by the same opposition in tests and ODIs in their back yard. What did the WC therefore reveal about which side was better?

Gower and Botham once took a World Cup off because they couldn't be bothered to play in it.

Well for one it told us that we could beat the best side in the world, in alien conditions, 2 times out of 3 clinching the final in the process. A feat which none of the other great(er) LO sides could pull of in the three editions till 1983.

Minus that historic moment it;s possible that WI would still rule cricket & there;d be no Indian market to fill the coffers of ECB, CA, CSA & of course BCCI.

 

[English August]

Well for one it told us that we could beat the best side in the world, in alien conditions, 2 times out of 3 clinching the final in the process. A feat which none of the other great(er) LO sides could pull of in the three editions till 1983.

Minus that historic moment it;s possible that WI would still rule cricket & there;d be no Indian market to fill the coffers of ECB, CA, CSA & of course BCCI.

Very well said. Those who undermine the importance of that 1983 Indian win do not understand the historical context in which it came. That win led to explosion of cricket's popularity in India. It gave Indian administrators the confidence to take on the English and Australian mafia running international cricket till then, which led to India hosting the 1987 WC.

Essentially cricket's center of gravity moved from Lord's to India in the subsequent years and cricket became a truly global game. You can all trace this back to that famous win in 1983.

 

[Nil Dhumrojal]

He is right and I am with him.

 

[IndianWillow]

It is his opinion. As a great he is entitled to his opinion. But fans will ultimately decide what cricket is. T20 is here to stay and rule, whether you like it or not. Test cricket, if at all it survives, will at the best play a second fiddle to T20, 30-40 years into future.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Someone should ask him his opinion on T10s.

 

[UN talkz]

Someone should ask him his opinion on T10s.

SAVAGE
He might die after hearing that

 

[Junaids]

It is his opinion. As a great he is entitled to his opinion. But fans will ultimately decide what cricket is. T20 is here to stay and rule, whether you like it or not. Test cricket, if at all it survives, will at the best play a second fiddle to T20, 30-40 years into future.

T20 doesn't actually rule outside Asia. And ODIs are on the verge of extinction outside Asia.

In England and Australia, T20 gets big audiences by tickets being given away or sold at below cost price. In both countries, the T20 tournaments have to be massively subsidised by the profits from Test cricket.

I actually accept T20 as cricket, I just think that it is like a gateway drug - a dumbed down version condensed for people who don't really love cricket.

If T20 replaced ODIs I'd be happy. It's the 50 overs game which seems pointless to me now.

 

[Rafa]

T20 doesn't actually rule outside Asia. And ODIs are on the verge of extinction outside Asia.

In England and Australia, T20 gets big audiences by tickets being given away or sold at below cost price. In both countries, the T20 tournaments have to be massively subsidised by the profits from Test cricket.

I actually accept T20 as cricket, I just think that it is like a gateway drug - a dumbed down version condensed for people who don't really love cricket.

If T20 replaced ODIs I'd be happy. It's the 50 overs game which seems pointless to me now.

Agree all the empty grounds during the recently concluded Champions Trophy were testimony to the fact.

 

[Junaids]

Agree all the empty grounds during the recently concluded Champions Trophy were testimony to the fact.

Well, Cricket Australia reported that gate receipts for the five Australia v Pakistan ODIs were around 10% of gate receipts for the 14 days of Test cricket.

In other words, each day of Test cricket delivers almost three times as much revenue as a day of ODI cricket.

 

[IndianWillow]

T20 doesn't actually rule outside Asia. And ODIs are on the verge of extinction outside Asia.

In England and Australia, T20 gets big audiences by tickets being given away or sold at below cost price. In both countries, the T20 tournaments have to be massively subsidised by the profits from Test cricket.

I actually accept T20 as cricket, I just think that it is like a gateway drug - a dumbed down version condensed for people who don't really love cricket.

If T20 replaced ODIs I'd be happy. It's the 50 overs game which seems pointless to me now.

Asian market is the biggest though. How did India challenge and takeover the decades old British/Aussie monopoly over cricket? By sheer strength of its market, not because India was a great team in test cricket. India's interests will primarily drive and shape what cricket's future is. Its future could be test cricket, but only if Asian countries sustain that market in the long run.

 

[Syed1]

I hardly watch a full session of a 5 day test match. Nobody has the time to do so.

I do however watch a full ODI or T20.

For me in terms of entertainment value:

ODI > T20 > Test


That being said some test matches are alot more thrilling than any ODI or T20 can ever be, but those matches are only once or twice a year.

 

[Robert]

Test cricket is one gigantic cauldron of mass cooked food with endless quantity but no flavour.

White-ball cricket is small quantity of exceptional food.

Quality>Quantity.

Curious - I must have watched scores of ODIs and remember about three of them. Two of them were WC finals and the other was an Anglo-Pakistan match in 1987 which went to the wire. While I remember details about scores of tests going back decades.

 

[CricketAnalyst]

Curious - I must have watched scores of ODIs and remember about three of them. Two of them were WC finals and the other was an Anglo-Pakistan match in 1987 which went to the wire. While I remember details about scores of tests going back decades.

I actually remember details of an enormous number of T20 matches.

Like the CLT20 a few years ago where Otago Volts mounted a great challenge with a hyper-attacking batting strategy.

It just doesn't make any sense to universalize your personal experiences. Not that I don't remember anything about Tests either.

But to be honest if I look back at games where I was very young, I remember the Hero Cup Semis and Finals, the WC quarter against Pakistan and Semi against Lanka, and not really anything much at all about test matches from that era.

 

[IndianWillow]

Curious - I must have watched scores of ODIs and remember about three of them. Two of them were WC finals and the other was an Anglo-Pakistan match in 1987 which went to the wire. While I remember details about scores of tests going back decades.

Test matches are probably remembered more for spell, session and match level encounters between the bat and the ball, rather than for individual moments of brilliance. Shorter formats for overall match result and several individual deliveries exhibiting brilliance with the bat, ball or field.
For example, in test matches you rarely see three or our boundaries in a row, or three wickets falling in an over. In ODIs you rarely see a nagging or vicious five over spell from your premier bowler or dogged defense against a hostile spell of bowling. Depending on your persona, one of these (or both) can leave a lasting impression.

 

[CanadianG00se]

Nobody in India cares what you think Mr. Holding.

T20 is future and thats where majority of fans heading(Indian). Now even a domestic T20 league is gonna make more money than ICC

You can enjoy your boring test matches all you want most fans arent even bothering showing up to stands to watch epic tuk tuk

 

[Sadevdesai]

When losing wickets don't mean as much ...... how can it be called Cricket ?????? Agree with Mr. Holding ...... 100% !!!!!!!!

 

[IndianWillow]

When making runs is not important and you can tuk tuk your way to a 'boring' 300 ball century (a regular feature of cricket before, say year 2000) , how can it be called cricket? I mean, that logic is double edged.

 

[HIC]

These days i only watch good test cricket with Interest.

20/20's are just prime time entertainment to me like a movie or a TV Series. Passion is only generated if its a WC.

ODI's have become boring or maybe i have aged now but surely ODI's are losing to 20/20.

Now, coming to Mr Holding i find one of those oldies who is always jealous and according to him everything was great in there times.

Its people like him who have destroyed Windies cricket and when they set examples by going to Kerry Packer surely they cant even talk about Money destroying Cricket.