Is the end of Test cricket near?

[minamino]

Boring matches. Very low TV viewership. Non-existent crowds during matches and the worst format chosen for Test championship. If it was up to me, I would have limited cricket only to NZ, England, Australia and India. Other teams should focus on LOI, At least there's a chance for upsets in that and are way more marketable than Test cricket.

T20Is I believe could be used to target the new markets in the world like USA, Germany, China etc. There is no way any one would find any interest in a 5 day game which could be ruined by bad weather. Make Cricket part of Olympics rather than investing in Test cricket which is slowly dying.

 

[King_Kohli]

No

 

[HappyWarsFan]

No. It is just you.

 

[Revolution]

I don't see any end to the test cricket.
Few improvements needed to improve the quality of cricket and pay should be increased for test players.

 

[tyron_woodley]

maybe for you. all top teams will continue to play and give Importance to test cricket. test cricket is GOAT cricket. Real cricket.

 

[Captain caveman]

Test cricket is dying, the sooner it dies the better! Absolute joke of a game.

 

[Robert]

Boring matches. Very low TV viewership. Non-existent crowds during matches and the worst format chosen for Test championship. If it was up to me, I would have limited cricket only to NZ, England, Australia and India. Other teams should focus on LOI, At least there's a chance for upsets in that and are way more marketable than Test cricket.

T20Is I believe could be used to target the new markets in the world like USA, Germany, China etc. There is no way any one would find any interest in a 5 day game which could be ruined by bad weather. Make Cricket part of Olympics rather than investing in Test cricket which is slowly dying.

I don’t think I have ever seen a boring test match. There have been some all-time thrillers recently.

 

[JaDed]

No I’m loving it more with age, hell even Indian domestic Ranji has become interesting thanks to tech and better format and pitches.

A test series loss esp in India hurts me much more than WC loss for now, away tests not yet that much..

 

[Babbar]

Test cricket is dying, the sooner it dies the better! Absolute joke of a game.

I agree. Test cricket in Pakistan in on its death bed! I don’t see any Pakistani, bar Babar, has any inclination or skill for a test match.

 

[Shaka81]

Test cricket is boring and played in empty stadiums.... Yet it's "fans" sit on forums demanding more money and prestige for a form of the game that they would never pay to watch!

 

[Hasan123]

This is one of the most entertaining eras of test cricket. Not sure what you have watching. Watching cricket in the UAE is a chore but for the most part test cricket has been enjoyable on good pitches.

 

[jnaveen1980]

People don't watch Test cricket on teh ground mean it has less following. Even back in the 80s not everyone can go to ground. Only those who live in that city can go. Others will listen in. Also people can go to stadium only on weekends. Also people go based on whether the home team bats or not.

 

[leatherface58]

Yawn! Move along.

Test elitists are annoying as hell but so are test nihilists.

 

[minamino]

This is one of the most entertaining eras of test cricket. Not sure what you have watching. Watching cricket in the UAE is a chore but for the most part test cricket has been enjoyable on good pitches.

I tried to watch England and NZ series and it was boring. BJ Watling playing 500 balls for his 200 and then a very boring second test ruined by weather.

 

[Hasan123]

I tried to watch England and NZ series and it was boring. BJ Watling playing 500 balls for his 200 and then a very boring second test ruined by weather.

That is because that is what was required to win on that pitch. In the end it did the job. Not every situation is batting at 4 an over.

 

[Chrish]

Yes. It won't end completely but number of games being played will continue to go down. It will become almost irrelevant except Ashes.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Yes. It won't end completely but number of games being played will continue to go down. It will become almost irrelevant except Ashes.

T20 internationals is practically non-existent. Leagues are way more popular than international T20. That will leave you with just ODI. Cricket cannot survive just on one-dayers. It means you will have to abandon first class system in each country. Won't happen in decades to come.

 

[Chrish]

T20 internationals is practically non-existent. Leagues are way more popular than international T20. That will leave you with just ODI. Cricket cannot survive just on one-dayers. It means you will have to abandon first class system in each country. Won't happen in decades to come.

Go look at the number of tests that have been played vs the ones scheduled to be played till 2022. I saw a graph on other forum that compared the number of games and there was a drastic difference.

Your perception can lie but numbers don't.

 

[BaankeJi]

Test cricket won't die because most of international players know that it is the most elite format and they can gain a place in history books of cricket only by doing well in this format.

Even though it needs most support, ICC will keep supporting it.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Go look at the number of tests that have been played vs the ones scheduled to be played till 2022. I saw a graph on other forum that compared the number of games and there was a drastic difference.

Your perception can lie but numbers don't.

90s were the worst period for Tests. There were hardly any matches played. Many predicted ODIs would replace Tests. Didn't happen. Every now and then these predictions are being thrown around. Never happens. As long as India prioritizes tests with millions of viewers, Test cricket is here to stay. India/Australia/England/NZ/SA are enough. Why do you think many teams fight for getting Test status instead of being happy with ODI status? Sadly there is this myth going around that fans determine how cricket will evolve. That is absolutely not true.ICC tells you what to watch. You watch. If they introduce 100 ball match you will watch. 5 over match you will watch. You don't control anything. Test cricket was even more in worse shape in the 90s, late 80s.

 

[Sir Alex]

T20 internationals should die. Hardly any of the teams perhaps barring pak and WI take ut any seriously.

T20is are just gambling and do not require application of skill required at international level.

Hence they should remain franchise cricket.

 

[Sir Alex]

10 years back this is what Ponting had to say regarding t20 internationals:

"Teams that are outclassed in five-day matches and even 50-over games are much more competitive in Twenty20. India offer a good example of this. The shorter the format of the game the more dangerous they become," Ponting said.

"Some of their batsmen -- Yuvraj Singh and M S Dhoni are classic examples -- can hurt you more in shorter games, because their is less opportunity to find ways of picking apart their techniques," he while adding that "Form in Twenty20 really doesn't count for all that .



https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/india-better-suited-for-t20-than-tests-ponting-552723.html

 

[ak619]

Test cricket is dying, the sooner it dies the better! Absolute joke of a game.

As a Pakistani fan, i can see where you are coming from. Pakistani test cricket indeed has become very boring.

But if you ask this question to an Aussie or an Englishman, who got to witness one of the greatest Ashes test matches just a couple of months ago, they will answer with a resounding "no".

 

[Sunny_majoka]

If this is your thinking then You don't have taste buds for test cricket.
And on what basis you will limit cricket to Australia NZ, England and India,

 

[Varun]

Hardly.

You go enjoy Bombay Bollywoods vs Hyderabad Biryanis if that catches your fancy.

 

[andy0204]

Sadly but true,I maybe wrong,let's see what happens.

 

[Varun]

10 years back this is what Ponting had to say regarding t20 internationals:

"Teams that are outclassed in five-day matches and even 50-over games are much more competitive in Twenty20. India offer a good example of this. The shorter the format of the game the more dangerous they become," Ponting said.

"Some of their batsmen -- Yuvraj Singh and M S Dhoni are classic examples -- can hurt you more in shorter games, because their is less opportunity to find ways of picking apart their techniques," he while adding that "Form in Twenty20 really doesn't count for all that .



https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/india-better-suited-for-t20-than-tests-ponting-552723.html

Funny he would say that - we actually had a stellar test team as of 2008.

 

[Robert]

I tried to watch England and NZ series and it was boring. BJ Watling playing 500 balls for his 200 and then a very boring second test ruined by weather.

If you just want to see sixes, test cricket is not for you. If you want to see an enthralling story play out slowly over five days, it is.

 

[tyron_woodley]

10 years back this is what Ponting had to say regarding t20 internationals:

"Teams that are outclassed in five-day matches and even 50-over games are much more competitive in Twenty20. India offer a good example of this. The shorter the format of the game the more dangerous they become," Ponting said.

"Some of their batsmen -- Yuvraj Singh and M S Dhoni are classic examples -- can hurt you more in shorter games, because their is less opportunity to find ways of picking apart their techniques," he while adding that "Form in Twenty20 really doesn't count for all that .



https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/india-better-suited-for-t20-than-tests-ponting-552723.html

yea that's why you lost in 2010 vs india away. That's why you had to cheat to win in 08. Biggest robbery of all time rofl.

 

[Sir Alex]

Funny he would say that - we actually had a stellar test team as of 2008.

Yeah apparently the saying was just before the 2008 india series. Ponting ended up with a banana on his face.

But I do agree with the general observation

 

[Hyperion66]

If you just want to see sixes, test cricket is not for you. If you want to see an enthralling story play out slowly over five days, it is.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Hyperion66]

hardly.

You go enjoy bombay bollywoods vs hyderabad biryanis if that catches your fancy.

lmao

 

[Chrish]

90s were the worst period for Tests. There were hardly any matches played. Many predicted ODIs would replace Tests. Didn't happen. Every now and then these predictions are being thrown around. Never happens. As long as India prioritizes tests with millions of viewers, Test cricket is here to stay. India/Australia/England/NZ/SA are enough. Why do you think many teams fight for getting Test status instead of being happy with ODI status? Sadly there is this myth going around that fans determine how cricket will evolve. That is absolutely not true.ICC tells you what to watch. You watch. If they introduce 100 ball match you will watch. 5 over match you will watch. You don't control anything. Test cricket was even more in worse shape in the 90s, late 80s.

Yes. Cricket was bad in 90s and then things got better and now things are heading back there again. And now there are tons of t20 tournaments to keep folks busy.

It’s a supply and demand. When there was a demand, sponsors made sure more test games were scheduled. Now there is less demand, so we will see less games. It’s Economics 101.

I don’t see format to disappear overnight but we would see more and more 1 or 2 test series instead of 3 or 4 games. Teams will play it to keep the tradition alive but number will keep going down. Only Ashes won’t be affected for now.

 

[Chrish]

And let’s be honest, most SC fans don’t watch test cricket. Even your grounds remain empty during vast majority of games.

Channels and boards would make money if people seat and watch the test on television which isn’t happening. T20 games on the other hand would be sold out.

T20 games are easy to organize and far more lucrative from viewership perspective. Also your superstar players would be more willing to participate in shorter formats since it’s far less physically taxing; ABDV for example which also attracts more viewers.

 

[Robert]

90s were the worst period for Tests. There were hardly any matches played. Many predicted ODIs would replace Tests. Didn't happen. Every now and then these predictions are being thrown around. Never happens. As long as India prioritizes tests with millions of viewers, Test cricket is here to stay. India/Australia/England/NZ/SA are enough. Why do you think many teams fight for getting Test status instead of being happy with ODI status? Sadly there is this myth going around that fans determine how cricket will evolve. That is absolutely not true.ICC tells you what to watch. You watch. If they introduce 100 ball match you will watch. 5 over match you will watch. You don't control anything. Test cricket was even more in worse shape in the 90s, late 80s.

Lara, Tendulkar, Waugh, Warne, Murali, Ranatunga, Wasim and Waqar, Inzi, McGrath, Ambrose and Walsh, Stewart, Gough, Thorpe?

Those were great years for tests!

 

[Chrish]

I think he meant worst in a sense of fewer number of games played. Yes, 90s saw many one and two game series that I mentioned in previous post.

 

[barah_admi]

Boring matches. Very low TV viewership. Non-existent crowds during matches and the worst format chosen for Test championship. If it was up to me, I would have limited cricket only to NZ, England, Australia and India. Other teams should focus on LOI, At least there's a chance for upsets in that and are way more marketable than Test cricket.

T20Is I believe could be used to target the new markets in the world like USA, Germany, China etc. There is no way any one would find any interest in a 5 day game which could be ruined by bad weather. Make Cricket part of Olympics rather than investing in Test cricket which is slowly dying.

Boring matches? The last 18 months have produced some of the best test matches I have seen in years.

Crowds, viewership and so on is a concern and I think test cricket will probably fall out of favour in the coming decade or so but limiting it to those countries you mentioned is moronic.

 

[Birdman]

Test cricket is more exciting to watch now than in the 80's and 90's. We may not see as many classical stroke players like Sachin, but the modern players are making the game more exciting and pretty much all the games yield results.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Lara, Tendulkar, Waugh, Warne, Murali, Ranatunga, Wasim and Waqar, Inzi, McGrath, Ambrose and Walsh, Stewart, Gough, Thorpe?

Those were great years for tests!

You are misunderstanding my post. Only in the 90s Test cricket took a back seat. Tendulkar played abysmally low number of tests in the mid 90s. He played more one dayers.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Test matches played in the last 5 years:<br><br>England 66<br>India 54<br>Australia 53<br>Sri Lanka 51<br>South Africa 48<br>New Zealand 41<br>West Indies 40<br>Pakistan 36<br>Bangladesh 27<br>Zimbabwe 13<br>Afghanistan 4<br>Ireland 3<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1288096117415084032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[Bhaijaan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Test matches played in the last 5 years:<br><br>England 66<br>India 54<br>Australia 53<br>Sri Lanka 51<br>South Africa 48<br>New Zealand 41<br>West Indies 40<br>Pakistan 36<br>Bangladesh 27<br>Zimbabwe 13<br>Afghanistan 4<br>Ireland 3<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1288096117415084032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Hope to see India playing 12+ tests an year consistently