[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Is watching Test cricket a tough ask?

[FearlessRoar]

As they say, the England crowd has a lot of interest in watching Test cricket. Yet, as we witness fans snoozing in the stands during the daytime in the 1st Test between England and Sri Lanka, it's hard not to wonder: has Test cricket become boring?

With the rise of T20 format, are fans losing interest in the longest form of the game? Or is it something more?

 

[Ab Fan]

It is not the format that makes the game boring or entertaining. It is the players who are participating in the game that ensures the game remains entertaining and exciting.

 

[sweep_shot]

I enjoy Test. Even boring draws. But, I prefer spicy pitches.

A boring drawn Test is better than any random T20 game.

I am an old school traditionalist cricket fan. I enjoy batters batting out sessions after sessions. I like the concept of grinding it out.

 

[shortbread]

As they say, the England crowd has a lot of interest in watching Test cricket. Yet, as we witness fans snoozing in the stands during the daytime in the 1st Test between England and Sri Lanka, it's hard not to wonder: has Test cricket become boring?

With the rise of T20 format, are fans losing interest in the longest form of the game? Or is it something more?

In England, the humorous tradition of camera crews zooming in on fans dozing off during test matches has become a staple. Interestingly, interest in test cricket has grown in England, more so since the rise of 'bazzball'. However, I believe the decline in attendance on the other side of the continent is largely due to the uninteresting batting on dead-flat wickets. I initially thought these conditions were a problem unique to Ramiz Raja's rule, but it's clear that the PCB is equally responsible for killing the spirit of test cricket with these dead wickets.

 

[mominsaigol]

Test cricket is fun if it's played on a proper pitch.

Australia and England are the 2 best nations to have a test match, Followed by India, NZ and SA.

Pakistan is awful, Even Bangladesh, Sri lanka amd heck Zimbabwe have it better.

Test cricket is only fun if it's an even contest between bat and ball

 

[Bhaijaan]

There’s no match to watching test cricket for a true man.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Tough to watch the quality of cricket is as low as shown by PAK, BD, SL etc.

 

[adil_909]

Only people with lots of time to waste will sit and watch test match cricket live

 

[sweep_shot]

Only people with lots of time to waste will sit and watch test match cricket live

I check scores and watch key portions. I can do that even when I work.

Enjoying Test doesn't mean one watches ball by ball.

The thing I like about Test is you can enjoy all 5 days (morning to evening) if it is competitive.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

its a real pain, specially if u watch any Test match played in Rawalpindi

 

[TheSultan]

Test matches are the best format and crucial sessions are more exciting than any other format.

However, the bowlers have to be in the game. Either a sporting pitch, or reverse swing etc etc.

Flat pitches, dead pitches, no reverse swing, no turn and it’s a dead format.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

It is a very Test ask but when it is between Arch rivals then it becomes fun

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

I can't remember the last I watched a test match in its entirety. They should close the chapter on test and ODI cricket.

Convert T20 to T30. 30 overs is the sweet spot, more opportunity for strategy and short enough not take up the entire day.

 

[offstump]

Test cricket showcases both the best and worst the game has to offer. Two mediocre teams on a lifeless wicket and it’s possibly the most excruciatingly painful sporting event you can watch. It will literally put you to sleep. Two skilled teams on a sporting wicket, and you have the very best the game has to offer in terms of showcasing skill, talent, strategy, emotion and tactics. Sadly, Pakistan is more on the painful side the last few years.

 

[Kianig89]

Definitely tough when the wicket is flat and still the team scores at 2.3RPO

 

[BouncerGuy]

It is a tough ask when you are playing on Phatta wickets and the game gets boring and boring because there is no real test for the batters on these wickets and the bowlers are nothing more than a bowling machine.

 

[FearlessRoar]

That's what distinguishes Test cricket crowds from T20 cricket crowds.

 

[U$ofA]

I check scores and watch key portions. I can do that even when I work.

Enjoying Test doesn't mean one watches ball by ball.

The thing I like about Test is you can enjoy all 5 days (morning to evening) if it is competitive.

This is exactly why broadcasters cannot make money on a test match. This is why majority of the boards lose money hosting a test match.

 

[mominsaigol]

Test cricket is fun if theirs an actual event balance between the bat and ball.

This pitch is a road, England on this pitch went bamg bamg mode.

Pakistan ko kya taqleef hai playing at 2RR on this road?

 

[Dhakar Pola]

Test cricket is fun if theirs an actual event balance between the bat and ball.

This.

Test many times have given me more thrills that odi T20 combined. Issue is it's not for the 5 days. You will get the thrills may be last two days. Many people nowadays are not that patient enough

 

[mominsaigol]

This.

Test many times have given me more thrills that odi T20 combined. Issue is it's not for the 5 days. You will get the thrills may be last two days. Many people nowadays are not that patient enough

Bro test is always fun on any day. But it's not fun in pakistan for obvious reasons.

 

[sweep_shot]

To me, a boring draw is much better than a random T20 run-fest.

I would rather watch a team scoring at 2.50 an over than Mumbai Indians smashing 300 in 20 overs.

 

[BouncerGuy]

To me, a boring draw is much better than a random T20 run-fest.

I would rather watch a team scoring at 2.50 an over than Mumbai Indians smashing 300 in 20 overs.

Any particular reason that you wanna see a boring test match being played on an expressway rather than a t20???

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

It's an acquired taste for sure. I don't think test cricket is meant to be watched in its entirety i.e. all 5 days. It's meant to be watched in smatterings of sessions.

The type of test cricket that Pakistan are putting out at home though is simply unwatchable. I wouldn't subject my worst enemy to watch this cricket. Matches like these are why people turn away from this sport or decry its seemingly impending demise. And can you blame them?

 

[sweep_shot]

Any particular reason that you wanna see a boring test match being played on an expressway rather than a t20???

I like low-scoring games more.

I like it when batters have to grind it out and have to bat out sessions after sessions.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I like low-scoring games more.

I like it when batters have to grind it out and have to bat out sessions after sessions.

Well for that, we need pitches that support both bowlers and batters. These phatta wickets are not fit enough to produce low-scoring thrillers.

These flat roads are killing the interest in red-ball matches.

 

[Hikaru]

Skilled Test Cricket is the peak of Cricket. Nothing better than Test Cricket between top sides.

 

[Kohlhaas]

I can't remember the last I watched a test match in its entirety. They should close the chapter on test and ODI cricket.

Convert T20 to T30. 30 overs is the sweet spot, more opportunity for strategy and short enough not take up the entire day.

Well, that’s a world I don’t want to live in!

 

[Kohlhaas]

One of the many attractions of Test cricket is that it’s not intended to provide instant guaranteed gratification for people with low attention spans. It’s far more interesting than that. A Test match has an unpredictable narrative in which the advantage can shift continuously and provides a wide stage on which multiple sub-dramas can be played out. The passages where ‘nothing is happening’ are precisely the points at which curiosity about the next plot shift is keenest.

 

[BouncerGuy]

My mind has completely faded now after watching this team's pathetic batting performance. Why are they even playing red-ball cricket at home on this road pitch.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Scenes from the 3rd Test between England and Sri Lanka

Such love for Test cricket is rarely seen in the subcontinent

 

[Kohlhaas]

Scenes from the 3rd Test between England and Sri Lanka

Such love for Test cricket is rarely seen in the subcontinent

It doesn’t only rain on Test matches!

 

[shortbread]

Some really good test matches being played at the moment. What's killing test cricket is flat roads for pitches. It's important that bowlers are in the game.

 

[batandballbattle]

Tests are the best format when the watchable kind is on show with an even contest between bat and ball. Home ashes series and BGT

 

[batandballbattle]

Tests are the best format when the watchable kind is on show with an even contest between bat and ball. Home ashes series and BGT

Tests are the best format when the watchable kind is on show with an even contest between bat and ball between evenly matched sides. The Ashes in England and BGT in Australia are the standouts. Reverse for both doesn't quite work out since England are routinely thrashed in Aus and India dominate one sided contests at home.

But lately there have been a few surprises. NZ vs India in India is fantastically set up for the 4th day, Multan came alive with a used surface and Sri Lanka even won in England. This WTC cycle is definitely the best since the tourney started.

It's sad to see that the balance between bat and ball is increasingly diminishing in ODI though and my enjoyment of that format has waned. The recent series between Australia and England was a return to form though despite all the rain breaks.

 

[Kianig89]

That concluded Pakistan vs Eng game was pure classic, there was a thrill that what will happen tomorrow specially given that Eng play at brisk pace regardless of situation

 

[sindhiboy]

Test cricket has been somewhat revived this year with several unexpected results shaking the power balance.

The West Indies' win at the Gabba, SL victory in England, Bangladesh whitewashing Pakistan at home, and Pakistan winning vs the team that was on the verge of ending test cricket in Pakistan have kept test cricket competitive.
If NZ wins in Bengaluru, it will be the cherry on top.

The big 3 being challenged is exactly what will keep Test cricket alive and thriving.

 

[Minnowbasher]

Test cricket is easier to watch than ODIs.
If there's one format that needs to go it's ODIs

 

[Cricket Warrior]

i wont prefer watching any longer format of cricket now its just a waste of time..

 

[sweep_shot]

For me, watching T20 can be a tough ask sometimes.

Test is always entertaining.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

For me, watching T20 can be a tough ask sometimes.

Test is always entertaining.

it consumes so many hours specially if u r a pakistani fan lol

 

[FearlessRoar]

For me, watching T20 can be a tough ask sometimes.

Test is always entertaining.

Can you watch Test cricket all 5 days by sitting at stadium from morning to evening?

 

[sweep_shot]

Can you watch Test cricket all 5 days by sitting at stadium from morning to evening?

No. I can't do that.

But, I can check scores throughout 5 days. I am likely to enjoy that more than watching a T20 match live (whether at stadium or at TV).

 

[FearlessRoar]

No. I can't do that.

But, I can check scores throughout 5 days. I am likely to enjoy that more than watching a T20 match live (whether at stadium or at TV).

That's why it's a tough ask

I could do it if I'm on vacation for a week and two quality sides are playing.

 

[Kianig89]

The last 5 games ( 2 Pak v Eng, 3 Ind v NZ) were absolutely entertaining and joy to watch

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Depends on the team who are playing

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Depends on the team who are playing

yup watching pakistan play gives u multiple heart attacks in a single day

 

[FearlessRoar]

It's all happening during the 3rd Test between Australia and India.

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