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Pakistan v West Indies | 1st Test (D/N) | Dubai (DSC) | Oct 13-17, 2016 | Day 3

The bigger picture is that cricket's money is made in India. If you have the pink ball resulting in Indian bowlers not being able to take wickets, it would mean a loss of interest for the Indian viewing audience. Guess what will happen to the pink ball then?

Extra TV audience will make up the numbers. India will always get some teams to bully at home. Tracks will be flattish spin. Not outside Asia flat.

Never underestimate BCCI's decisions when it comes to money.

I just hope pink ball test cricket is tweaked. I believe it is the ABSOLUTE future whether tracks aid spin or not. The signs are there for all to see.
 
I believe it is the ABSOLUTE future whether tracks aid spin or not. The signs are there for all to see.

Why do you think it is the future? And what are the signs?

Just trying to understand the reasons for switching to the pink ball.
 
Darren bravo is playing very negative cricket man
 
Why do you think it is the future? And what are the signs?

Just trying to understand the reasons for switching to the pink ball.

1. More TV audience due to convenient timing

2. Realization that test cricket in current form is a dead duck...its on life support everywhere except Eng, Aus and India....And in India, its working well cos we have SO MUCH POPULATION...not because our population loves test cricket in its current form

3. Realization that no matter how popular T20 becomes, it lacks the soul of cricket...it feels so cheap and unsatisfactory....Rahane's Lord's 100 will be remembered for another 50 years (by neutral fans mind you)...but no one will remember any of the T20 100s....its not an attack on T20 but what happens in Tests stays with you for a long time...if we gonna turn cricket into baseball or football style stuff...might as well switch to football and baseball cos those games have more soul than T20s...T20s won't die but people can see tests can be tweaked where it can coexist with T20s....

4. Test cricket will go through a change in the coming 5-10 years where it will have all the fun components of test and some of ODI - people these days love to see good pitches with fast outfields where 4 rpo is scored...that's how tests are going go....slow boring tests with dead outfields are on the way out....

For that we need:

- Convenient time (day nigh tests)
- More fans in stadium (day night tests)
- Fast outfields
- Change of rules where the boring pointless draw component of test cricket will be removed (I can't prove it now but I can see this happening in the future)...Amalgmation of some LOI components so that every test produces results...wherein we have the excitement of so many battles of test cricket mixed in with a decently fast paced game

Even with all this day night tests won't surpass T20 in earnings but it will create a new style where we "could" get sufficient people interested and money flowing in to keep the "true cricket" alive and kicking....
 
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Why do you think it is the future? And what are the signs?

Just trying to understand the reasons for switching to the pink ball.

Because we saw in Australia that Test cricket at night gets higher ratings and much higher gate receipts than one day cricket. We learned that people watch 20 and 50 overs cricket at night because it is convenient, but that as soon as you move Test cricket to that time slot it slaughters the other forms of cricket.

The white ball is even worse than the Pink Ball, so we use the Pink Ball.

But it is really optimised for three day Tests on greentops. Matches like this one are horrible.
 
1. More TV audience due to convenient timing

2. Realization that test cricket in current form is a dead duck...its on life support everywhere except Eng, Aus and India....And in India, its working well cos we have SO MUCH POPULATION...not because our population loves test cricket in its current form

3. Realization that no matter how popular T20 becomes, it lacks the soul of cricket...it feels so cheap and unsatisfactory....Rahane's Lord's 100 will be remembered for another 50 years (by neutral fans mind you)...but no one will remember any of the T20 100s....its not an attack on T20 but what happens in Tests stays with you for a long time...if we gonna turn cricket into baseball or football style stuff...might as well switch to football and baseball cos those games have more soul than T20s...T20s won't die but people can see tests can be tweaked where it can coexist with T20s....

4. Test cricket will go through a change in the coming 5-10 years where it will have all the fun components of test and some of ODI - people these days love to see good pitches with fast outfields where 4 rpo is scored...that's how tests are going go....slow boring tests with dead outfields are on the way out....

For that we need:

- Convenient time (day nigh tests)
- More fans in stadium (day night tests)
- Fast outfields
- Change of rules where the boring pointless draw component of test cricket will be removed (I can't prove it now but I can see this happening in the future)...Amalgmation of some LOI components so that every test produces results...wherein we have the excitement of so many battles of test cricket mixed in with a decently fast paced game

Even with all this day night tests won't surpass T20 in earnings but it will create a new style where we "could" get sufficient people interested and money flowing in to keep the "true cricket" alive and kicking....

I think you are right on all counts. However, I think that the main problem with Test cricket is that it is too slow for the modern world, and a pink ball may not be enough to save it. People are now used to everything having faster, and a game which goes on over 5 days will find it tough to survive in the modern world.

If we could make changes to give the bowlers greater advantage so that games regularly got over in 3 days, that would help. Otherwise we may have to settle for ODIs, a format that I find a reasonably good compromise.
 
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I was mentioning yesterday in the match thread when we were batting, that we should let Azhar bat and see if he can get 400. We declared too early IMO.

Should have looked to keep batting until half way today, and see if the pitch starts to crack & the ball spins.

In my mind it was simple - if the pitch started to crack and the ball started to spin, we would have easily picked up 20 West Indian wickets in 2.5 days. However, if we let WI bat on a flat track, they get an opportunity to eat up some of the deficit and they can get into a position where they don't need to follow on.

Should of batted until half way today, look to get 750-800 (400 of them for Azhar) on the board and ask WI to score 550-600 to avoid the follow on, on a spinning wicket. IMO that would of been a much better strategy.

Right now, if WI bat for another day, they will easily avoid the follow on and Pakistan will have to bat again with 1.5 day to go. At that stage we will be in a tricky position. Should we look to go hard and get a total on the board which we can defend and pick up 10 wickets in 0.75-1 day, or do we just play out for the draw? If Pakistan is forced to bat again on day 4 it will be quite tricky for us to force a result.

Anyway, that's just my opinion, let's see if what happens. Still a long way to go in this match.

Hope Azhar hasn't suffered any serious damage here and wish him a speedy recovery InshAllah! That was hit very hard by Samuels!
 
I think you are right on all counts. However, I think that the main problem with Test cricket is that it is too slow for the modern world, and a pink ball may not be enough to save it. People are now used to everything having faster, and a game which goes on over 5 days will find it tough to survive in the modern world.

If we could make changes to give the bowlers greater advantage so that games regularly got over in 3 days, that would help. Otherwise we may have to settle for ODIs, a format that I find a reasonably good compromise.

This is where the Adelaide greentop was so good. The game was finished before the end of Day 3.

You could play Five Test series, with each Test over three nights, two of which are the weekend.

In western countries a Test would be 2-10 pm, Friday Saturday Sunday.

It's perfect!
 
I think you are right on all counts. However, I think that the main problem with Test cricket is that it is too slow for the modern world, and a pink ball may not be enough to save it. People are now used to everything having faster, and a game which goes on over 5 days will find it tough to survive in the modern world.

If we could make changes to give the bowlers greater advantage so that games regularly got over in 3 days, that would help. Otherwise we may have to settle for ODIs, a format that I find a reasonably good compromise.

That's where day night tests are different.

Wed-Sun - Starting in evening.

If people can tune into IPL every night, they can tune into 5 day test cricket say 10-12 times a year. Mostly day night tests of future will be 4 day events (talks are already going on to make tests 4 days).

The Duleep trophy games were super fun in terms of batting. Every over had a boundary and the stroke making was a delight to watch. If we just tweak the pitches right, we can have 4 rpo with wickets falling in.

Pink tests on green top is not a feasible future model. More work needs to be done on the ball and the pitches and dew factor is something we have to overcome....must find out a way for that.

The problem with fast paced T20 is that its better than boring tests but its NOT better than football or baseball (time duration is the same but luck factor is more in T20). Someone exposed to both T20 and other fast paced games will eventually pick the latter. T20 will win in cricket and lose it overall. Every game has its charm and day night tests may just be cricket's final answer to make it a worthwhile game for the modern world.
 
This is where the Adelaide greentop was so good. The game was finished before the end of Day 3.

You could play Five Test series, with each Test over three nights, two of which are the weekend.

In western countries a Test would be 2-10 pm, Friday Saturday Sunday.

It's perfect!

Agreed... but Indians would like the changes to help spinners too, after all that is where our strength mostly lies.
 
And people wanted Azhar to get a 400 before we declare. That would've surely been a draw
 
That's where day night tests are different.

Wed-Sun - Starting in evening.

If people can tune into IPL every night, they can tune into 5 day test cricket say 10-12 times a year. Mostly day night tests of future will be 4 day events (talks are already going on to make tests 4 days).

The Duleep trophy games were super fun in terms of batting. Every over had a boundary and the stroke making was a delight to watch. If we just tweak the pitches right, we can have 4 rpo with wickets falling in.

Pink tests on green top is not a feasible future model. More work needs to be done on the ball and the pitches and dew factor is something we have to overcome....must find out a way for that.

The problem with fast paced T20 is that its better than boring tests but its NOT better than football or baseball (time duration is the same but luck factor is more in T20). Someone exposed to both T20 and other fast paced games will eventually pick the latter. T20 will win in cricket and lose it overall. Every game has its charm and day night tests may just be cricket's final answer to make it a worthwhile game for the modern world.

I agree that T20s are an unsatisfactory format. The batsmen come in, swing their bats, and may or may not get lucky. There is a lot of nuances in cricket, the "contest between the bat and the ball" which seems to be lost in T20s.
 
Is any one else getting frustrated and enfuriated by this damb lucas-lost my name book advert!! I mean for flip sakes man
 
Why Pakistan is so timid after their heroics in England? This a real disgrace for test cricket-a boring road like pitch.

They won't climb again to no 1 spot i think if they don't prepare sporting wickets at their home ground.I can't understand why Pakistan is so afraid of this terrible west Indies attack?
 
These umpires don't seem to be very good with calling no-balls. When is that 3rd umpire no-ball thing gonna be implemented? It's needed asap.
 
I don't know if this is sad or interesting...

WI have had 300 dot balls in 59.2 over. That means 50 overs worth of dot balls

That means WI have scored 152 in 9.2 overs when they have scored

:sa
 
And people wanted Azhar to get a 400 before we declare. That would've surely been a draw

:)

I was mentioning yesterday in the match thread when we were batting, that we should let Azhar bat and see if he can get 400. We declared too early IMO.

Should have looked to keep batting until half way today, and see if the pitch starts to crack & the ball spins.

In my mind it was simple - if the pitch started to crack and the ball started to spin, we would have easily picked up 20 West Indian wickets in 2.5 days. However, if we let WI bat on a flat track, they get an opportunity to eat up some of the deficit and they can get into a position where they don't need to follow on.

Should of batted until half way today, look to get 750-800 (400 of them for Azhar) on the board and ask WI to score 550-600 to avoid the follow on, on a spinning wicket. IMO that would of been a much better strategy.

Right now, if WI bat for another day, they will easily avoid the follow on and Pakistan will have to bat again with 1.5 day to go. At that stage we will be in a tricky position. Should we look to go hard and get a total on the board which we can defend and pick up 10 wickets in 0.75-1 day, or do we just play out for the draw? If Pakistan is forced to bat again on day 4 it will be quite tricky for us to force a result.

Anyway, that's just my opinion, let's see if what happens. Still a long way to go in this match.

Hope Azhar hasn't suffered any serious damage here and wish him a speedy recovery InshAllah! That was hit very hard by Samuels!
 
I don't know if this is sad or interesting...

WI have had 300 dot balls in 59.2 over. That means 50 overs worth of dot balls

That means WI have scored 152 in 9.2 overs when they have scored

:sa

Sad or interesting? I would say expected given WI's situation. Especially after their batting has been brutalized in the last 6 games I think their motto is "survival first".
 
Past these two, I don't forsee too much resistance from the other bats.

Blackwood is explosive and not one to hang around. Chase is just starting his international career. Dowrich is a talented bat though.
 
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Getting 20 wickets on this pitch will not be easy , Pakistan under Misbah has reached top but the brand of cricket they play has regressed . They have become used to negative plans . Pakistan not putting sporting wickets have backfired badly. A draw would be big loss to pakistan.
 
Chalk and Cheese out there at the moment. Bravo looking to occupy, Samuels looking to penetrate to the ropes.

Samuels reminds me of Hooper; stylish but so prone to disappointing you.
 
Something seems to have started to happen for both Yasir & Wahab in the last couple of overs

Pakistan also seem to have gone onto the attack all of a sudden with 4 players around the bat with Bravo
 

I agree with Talha, I wasn't pleased about the declaration last night. We also had a golden opportunity to break some records to, imagine Azhar breaking Lara's record and the attention he and pakistan would get worldwide, would have been a magnificent performance. Hanif's 337 was in reach as well and could have been broken easily
 
Pakistan cant afford to even draw this test. need to bowl them out tonight!
 
Marlon has played some beautiful shots off the backfoot today.

When he can be bothered to apply himself, he is a key player for WI.
 
I agree with Talha, I wasn't pleased about the declaration last night. We also had a golden opportunity to break some records to, imagine Azhar breaking Lara's record and the attention he and pakistan would get worldwide, would have been a magnificent performance. Hanif's 337 was in reach as well and could have been broken easily

We're trying to win this match. I don't want this to be a draw.
 
I honestly think someone like Junaid Khan would've been so useful here despite his knees.
 
Come on boys!!

Need just 2 to open the floodgates
 
This match is not lost, once this partnership breaks the rest will fold. Day 4/5 Yasir will clean up inshaAllah
 
Why Pakistan is so timid after their heroics in England? This a real disgrace for test cricket-a boring road like pitch.

They won't climb again to no 1 spot i think <b>if they don't prepare sporting wickets at their home ground.</b>I can't understand why Pakistan is so afraid of this terrible west Indies attack?

Getting 20 wickets on this pitch will not be easy , Pakistan under Misbah has reached top but the brand of cricket they play has regressed . They have become used to negative plans . <b>Pakistan not putting sporting wickets have backfired badly.</b> A draw would be big loss to pakistan.

So does Pakistan get to decide on the pitches in UAE? A lot of posters here claim they have no influence on what pitches are prepared.
 
This match is not lost, once this partnership breaks the rest will fold. Day 4/5 Yasir will clean up inshaAllah

Yeah, people are forgetting that the Windies are still 400 runs behind and we're only halfway through the game.

Even if these two score a hundred they're going to be miles behind.

Never mind, Samuels gone now so the wrist slitting can stop
 
How did Bazid leave out both Inzi and Younis in his all time XI... Saqlain also a strange choice
 
So does Pakistan get to decide on the pitches in UAE? A lot of posters here claim they have no influence on what pitches are prepared.

iirc PCB sends people to oversee the pitch occasionally but yeah, the local authorities are responsible for the pitch preparation.
 
We're trying to win this match. I don't want this to be a draw.

Yup - and IMO that's the very reason we should have kept batting & declared half way through Day 3.

Anyway - we are half way through day 3 now and in the last 20 mins or so both Yasir and the seamers seem to be getting some help from this ball and this pitch. There's still plenty of time left in this game - let's see how things go.
 
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