[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.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1868896425334939777

 

[FearlessRoar]

Moment from Day 3 of the 2nd Test between South Africa and Pakistan

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

I skim through Pak bowling in tests because it's God awful. See an over or two and then do other stuff. Batting I watch a bit more but only if there's something else to do on the side as well. The days of dedicated viewing are absolutely over for me no matter what form of cricket it is. Tonty tonty tau daikhnay ka dil hi nahi karta unless it's a player whose progress interests me.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

ICC Ready For 4-Day Tests, But Three Countries Given Exemption. Report Says: "Jay Shah Is Understood To Have..."

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is ready to sanction four-day Tests for smaller nations in the 2027-29 World Test Championship cycle but India, Australia and England can still play the traditional five-day matches, according a report. The move to reduce matches by one day would be a significant change and can help smaller nations to play more Tests and longer series. "During discussions last week at the WTC final at Lord's, the ICC chair, Jay Shah, is understood to have expressed his support for four-day Tests, with a view to sanctioning them in time for the 2027-29 WTC cycle," a report in "The Guardian' newspaper said.

"England, Australia and India would still be permitted to schedule five-Test series of five-day matches for the Ashes, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the newly named Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, the first iteration of which begins with the first Test between England and India at Headingley on Friday." The ICC first sanctioned four-day Tests for bilateral contests in 2017. England played Zimbabwe over four days at Trent Bridge last month after four-day Tests against Ireland in 2019 and 2023.

According to the report, "many smaller nations are reluctant to host Tests due to the time they take out of the schedule and the cost, but a move to four-day cricket would enable an entire three-Test series to be played in less than three weeks."

"In four-day Tests the playing hours are extended to mandate a minimum of 98 overs per day rather than 90 overs to mitigate the time lost," it said.

"South Africa's threadbare itinerary despite being crowned world champions in the thrilling final against Australia at Lord's last week has further highlighted the issue, and focused minds on the need for change," it added.

The 2025-27 World Test Championship will, however, will continue under the existing format of five-day matches.

ICC Ready For 4-Day Tests, But Three Countries Given Exemption. Report Says: "Jay Shah Is Understood To Have..." | Cricket News

ICC's likely move to reduce matches by one day would be a significant change and can help smaller nations to play more Tests and longer series

sports.ndtv.com

 

[The Bald Eagle]

WTC Final Broadcast & Digital viewership in India hits new high for Test Cricket

The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s earlier this month has achieved record-breaking broadcast and digital numbers in India, a testament to the continued popularity of the traditional five-day format of the game and to the impactful marketing and production efforts of JioStar.

The final of the third WTC cycle, which saw South Africa defeat Australia by five wickets, has become the highest-rated and most watched (2.94 billion minutes of viewing) non-India Test match on TV with the highest reach (47 million) garnered on the Star Sports network.

The WTC Final also recorded the highest-ever viewership on Digital with 225 million views, which rivalled viewership for the final of the last edition, despite India taking on Australia in that final at The Oval.

Mr. Jay Shah, Chairman of the ICC, said he was pleased with the broadcast and digital numbers in India, which reflected the significance of Test cricket for cricket fans.

The Test match at the Lord's Cricket Ground was also watched by 109,227 in-stadia fans.

Mr. Shah said: “The remarkable viewership numbers for the ICC World Test Championship Final, across both broadcast and digital platforms, are a powerful testament to the appeal of high-quality Test cricket and the elevated context of the WTC Final. This format continues to command a loyal and passionate global following and remains an integral part of our sport’s identity.”

“What makes this success even more special is the enthusiasm shown by fans in regions beyond the two competing nations, reaffirming that cricket’s reach is truly international, and that the purest form of the game can thrive beyond national affiliations.”

“A special mention to JioStar, whose innovative and immersive coverage, captured the drama, emotion, and atmosphere of the ‘Ultimate Test’ in a way that deeply resonated with audiences around the world.”

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Agree entirely with Mathews

https://twitter.com/x/status/2053088670866182536

 

[Kianig89]

Absolutely not, Test cricket is the ultimate cricket , I've watched almost all of Azhar Ali's Test centuries and after that , there is nothing difficult to watch

 

[sweep_shot]

I cherish Test cricket. Ultimate cricketing format since 1880's (17th century if you count FC too).

Cricket started as Test. It was only in the 1970's when ODI was introduced.

In 2005, T20 was introduced and it all downhill from there.

#CricketIsNotCricketWithoutTest
#ODIAndTestAreTheOnlyRealCricket
#T20IsNotCricket

 

[ElRaja]

I cherish Test cricket. Ultimate cricketing format since 1880's (17th century if you count FC too).

Cricket started as Test. It was only in the 1970's when ODI was introduced.

In 2005, T20 was introduced and it all downhill from there.

#CricketIsNotCricketWithoutTest
#ODIAndTestAreTheOnlyRealCricket
#T20IsNotCricket

watchig tests is so much more comfortable, u watch 15, 20 minutes, you go do something else, its on in the background, you absorb it. no screaming, no theatrics, just a grinding analogy of life playing out with bat and ball.

 

[sweep_shot]

watchig tests is so much more comfortable, u watch 15, 20 minutes, you go do something else, its on in the background, you absorb it. no screaming, no theatrics, just a grinding analogy of life playing out with bat and ball.

Agree.

It has a natural flow (something that is missing from T20).

I compare Test to a well-balanced nutritious meal while T20 is like McDonald's French fries.

 

[sweep_shot]

A player's greatness is determined by how he does in Test/ODI.

A player who only plays T20 is just another Rinku Singh. He has no legacy. Achieving things in T20 is similar to earning a bachelor's degree in liberal art (doesn't mean anything).

Any good cricketer should always look to leave a legacy in Test format.

 

[U$ofA]

Agree.

It has a natural flow (something that is missing from T20).

I compare Test to a well-balanced nutritious meal while T20 is like McDonald's French fries.

Unfortunately, if you are test cricketer, McDonald's is all you can afford. The T20 cricketer is the one who eats a nutritious meal!

 

[U$ofA]

A player's greatness is determined by how he does in Test/ODI.

A player who only plays T20 is just another Rinku Singh. He has no legacy. Achieving things in T20 is similar to earning a bachelor's degree in liberal art (doesn't mean anything).

Any good cricketer should always look to leave a legacy in Test format.

Though I agree with this, it is fast changing. More and more players do not care about test cricket. Their focus is on T20 and how to market themselves to the various leagues. Hence they do not care about test legacy.

I do not see any Tendulkar, Dravid, Lare, Ponting, Miandad, Younis, Cook, Root, Smith in the pipeline. In BIPS or SENA. Perhpas we will know the state of test cricket and the quality of test players in the next 2-3 years. When the current crop of players are done and the next gen is on.

Ind. is already going/gone the way of Pak, SL, WI, BD. A downgraded test team. NZ and SA are at the door step to join them. I think even Eng and Aus are going to struggle to get good quality players.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I enjoy test matches in England and Australia. South Africa matches are sometimes interesting especially when the pitch is spicy, Indian test matches are ok.

This Bangladesh v Pakistan match isn't the most interesting. Hard enough watching it as a Pakistan fan, don't know how neutrals sit through it.

I am really looking forward to watching England v Pakistan. I have tickets for some days.

The recent England v Indi series was a wonderful advert for test cricket, but how many more will we have of that type where teams are going toe to toe for 5 days across 5 matches. I doubt we will see bowlers running in relentlessly like Siraj did in that series for example. Unfortunately it's not really worth it for them.

Test cricket is now a tier 2 within cricket and apart from big 3 and occasionally south Africa, the rest of the teams are tier two within that tier 2. Young Azan who played so beautifully today, will likely have to soon make a choice where he develops his power game and T20 game and that will put his test batting on the decline most likely. It's similar even for India, yeah that have a stronish test culture at the moment, but id be surprised if batting/fielding for a while day is high on the priority list of ambitions for young stars like Vaibhav and Sharma. Ultimately the star players will be in t20 and the test players will be honest triers, the equivalents of Shan Masood, Nomi uncle and Abbas for pretty much all countries soon.

The ICC plans to include Afghan, Zimbabwe and Ireland in WTC and play one off tests will probably be counter productive and herald the end of the WTC rather than invigorating it.

 

[sweep_shot]

Unfortunately, if you are test cricketer, McDonald's is all you can afford. The T20 cricketer is the one who eats a nutritious meal!

Wrong analogy.

An Indian call center scammer can earn millions by stealing from innocent people while an honest government employee may only earn a few thousands doing honest work. It doesn't mean call center scamming is better.

Money is not everything. You also have to look at dignity and ethics.

 

[aarizzler720]

Wrong analogy.

An Indian call center scammer can earn millions by stealing from innocent people while an honest government employee may only earn a few thousands doing honest work. It doesn't mean call center scamming is better.

Money is not everything. You also have to look at dignity and ethics.

I find T20 cricket more entertainig, but seriously I rate the best bowlers, and batters solely based on test cricket, cause that's one format which demands ultimate, strength, will and heroics etc, That's why DOn Brdaman is the greatest batter, and then Sobers, and then there's daylight

 

[BouncerGuy]

Not tough ask if you like real cricket...

 

[Hitman]

Wrong analogy.

An Indian call center scammer can earn millions by stealing from innocent people while an honest government employee may only earn a few thousands doing honest work. It doesn't mean call center scamming is better.

Money is not everything. You also have to look at dignity and ethics.

Comparing a crime with a legal job and then using that analogy to compare T20's and Tests.

 

[U$ofA]

Comparing a crime with a legal job and then using that analogy to compare T20's and Tests.

Well, you could say playing tests is a crime!

In majoirity of the cases, test cricket steals the money made from T20's just to conduct the test match!

 

[RidiculousMan]

I believe people who watched Test Cricket as kids. People who grew up with it. Would never find Test Cricket boring. Even near their death bed. A good Test match will always be enjoyable to them if they have time.

On the other hand people who never grew up watching Test Cricket. Would ultimately lose interest or find boring. Even if they found it interesting for some duration. It won't last long. Eventually they'll find it boring.

 

[Mamoon]

Test cricket between Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on flat wickets is the lowest level of cricket in the international arena.

Any half-decent semi-professional batsman can easily score runs on these wickets against this level of bowling.

It’s definitely unwatchable because it makes you realize that any Tom, Dick and Harry can play at this level.

 

[Major]

Test cricket is not market properly in subcontinent.

If you are going to host a game for 5 days with 8 hours spent each day, than maybe make it a festive occasion, instead of having seats, make hilly banks and have crowd entertainment going on. With bbqs and all. Or let bbqs or tail gate partys take place in parking.

The issue with test cricket is that its not marketted properly

 

[Kianig89]

I've watched a certain bowler debuted for Pakistan , and took 6 wickets on a completely placid track in desert, Surely nothing can be more boring than that ?

Any guess who the legend was

 

[sweep_shot]

I believe people who watched Test Cricket as kids. People who grew up with it. Would never find Test Cricket boring. Even near their death bed. A good Test match will always be enjoyable to them if they have time.

On the other hand people who never grew up watching Test Cricket. Would ultimately lose interest or find boring. Even if they found it interesting for some duration. It won't last long. Eventually they'll find it boring.

You are right I guess.

I am a 90's kid. I grew up with Test and ODI. These are the only 2 formats I recognize as real/serious cricket.

I consider T20 as a form of gully cricket (non-serious).

 

[Josh]

Even that expression would be parsed ..you must escape { and } as XML entities

 

[U$ofA]

Test cricket is not market properly in subcontinent.

If you are going to host a game for 5 days with 8 hours spent each day, than maybe make it a festive occasion, instead of having seats, make hilly banks and have crowd entertainment going on. With bbqs and all. Or let bbqs or tail gate partys take place in parking.

The issue with test cricket is that its not marketted properly

This I agree with. The ICC and the boards need to market tests. As well as all white ball internationals.

Currently nothing is being done to take the format to the cricket fans. Especially to the younger ones. Zero marketing.

Take the IPL, they market every aspect of the league. Reach out in a thousand different ways and directions. They just embed it in fans minds. They market it to all ages 10-80. Huge demographic. Huge reach.

A 15 year old who watched the inaugral season of IPL is now 34-35 with kids of his/her own. Kids that are just getting into the game. IPL reached out the 15 year old back in 2008 and still reaching out to 10 year old now.

That is what is lacking in promoting test cricket. Constantantly adding new fans.

Many may say too late, the horses have bolted. But I say worth a try to keep the test format alive.

 

[AAli98]

Surprised eng & aus have invited pak for test series this year. Tough watch indeed.

For me there planes should be heading to Uganda & Nepal.