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Test Cricket Zindabad!

sweep_shot said:
This NZ vs England Test was a classic.

Test is still the #1 format.
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It was a very weird day.
With such heavy English weather, and Kookaburra doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in the air or off the seam??

I thought NZ would win with such a good total to defend in the fourth innings.
 
A hard fought and close match between England New Zealand at Lord's.

A match that ebbed and flowed and was great to watch.

I guess however though critics will say it was over in just over 3 days.
 
Agree^

4 day games and day/nighters please.

Another great Test match!
 
Though things started out poorly, ended up with a good fight. All in all a good test match. Though it makes me wonder if Eng. would have done the same on a day 5 pitch.
 
sweep_shot said:
This NZ vs England Test was a classic.

Test is still the #1 format.
Click to expand...

I have to somewhat question this statement. There seems to be quite a consensus on this forum that tests are the premier format. But all evidence seems to point different.

Take the individual boards. The non Big3. They seem to be going in the opposite direction. From what used to be 5 test series has changed to 3 and now to 2 and 1 test "series".

This reduction in tests happening at the same time fans on this forum are screaming test is best. Why do the boards (PCB in this case) keep totally ignoring the fans?

It's either the board is totally ignoring it's fans or the test format fans are very small percentage of the cricket fan base that they are insignificant.

It is one or the other. Which one is it?

Add to this the ICC's attitude toward tests. The WTC is a great example. The ICC dragged it's feet for years to setup the WTC. They had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the table to make a decision. Even then, they came up with a half baked setup. Where they wanted and have no involvement it the WTC.

Remember, the WTC is supposed to be an ICC "tournament". Which ICC has no part except for one match. Yes one single match.
 
U$ofA said:
I have to somewhat question this statement. There seems to be quite a consensus on this forum that tests are the premier format. But all evidence seems to point different.

Take the individual boards. The non Big3. They seem to be going in the opposite direction. From what used to be 5 test series has changed to 3 and now to 2 and 1 test "series".

This reduction in tests happening at the same time fans on this forum are screaming test is best. Why do the boards (PCB in this case) keep totally ignoring the fans?

It's either the board is totally ignoring it's fans or the test format fans are very small percentage of the cricket fan base that they are insignificant.

It is one or the other. Which one is it?

Add to this the ICC's attitude toward tests. The WTC is a great example. The ICC dragged it's feet for years to setup the WTC. They had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the table to make a decision. Even then, they came up with a half baked setup. Where they wanted and have no involvement it the WTC.

Remember, the WTC is supposed to be an ICC "tournament". Which ICC has no part except for one match. Yes one single match.
Click to expand...

Which format do you think is #1? T20?
 
sweep_shot said:
Which format do you think is #1? T20?
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I think we are that confused stage where there is enough of an argument for both. One could say we are in a stage of transition. A transition where T20 is taking over.

There evidence of ascendency of T20 and the Test format giving way to it. This can especially be seen with the Non Big3 boards. As they have made the transition away from test to give/make T20 the premium format.

I personally will continue to do what I have been doing. Which is, if I have the time and there is cricket I will watch it. Be it tests/T20/IPL. Though I have to confess that I tend to be biased towards watching the Big3 more than others. I did not watch any part of the SL vs BD test for example.
 
Colorblind Genius said:
It was a very weird day.
With such heavy English weather, and Kookaburra doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in the air or off the seam??

I thought NZ would win with such a good total to defend in the fourth innings.
Click to expand...

Temperature is a factor in orthodox swing. The air has to be warm, damp and rising. Won’t swing under total overcast in a chilly day.
 
U$ofA said:
I think we are that confused stage where there is enough of an argument for both. One could say we are in a stage of transition. A transition where T20 is taking over.

There evidence of ascendency of T20 and the Test format giving way to it. This can especially be seen with the Non Big3 boards. As they have made the transition away from test to give/make T20 the premium format.

I personally will continue to do what I have been doing. Which is, if I have the time and there is cricket I will watch it. Be it tests/T20/IPL. Though I have to confess that I tend to be biased towards watching the Big3 more than others. I did not watch any part of the SL vs BD test for example.
Click to expand...

Test cricket is like nutritious food that not many like to eat but is good for the body.

T20 is like junk food that is good to eat yet horrible for the body.

That's how I view it.

While I agree that T20's popularity is increasing but that is increasing due to casual fans.

T20 cricket is for casual fans. More dedicated fans still prefer Test and ODI (based on what I have seen).

Here's what great Michael Holding has to say --> ""I don't watch Twenty20. It is dumbing-down cricket. They should find another name for it,"
 
sweep_shot said:
Test cricket is like nutritious food that not many like to eat but is good for the body.

T20 is like junk food that is good to eat yet horrible for the body.

That's how I view it.

While I agree that T20's popularity is increasing but that is increasing due to casual fans.

T20 cricket is for casual fans. More dedicated fans still prefer Test and ODI (based on what I have seen).

Here's what great Michael Holding has to say --> ""I don't watch Twenty20. It is dumbing-down cricket. They should find another name for it,"
Click to expand...

So there is room for both the casual fans and the dedicated fans.

Why are the boards and the ICC ignoring the dedicated fans?

Not only are the boards going all in for the T20 domestic and internationals, they are actively participating in shutting down all cricket during IPL.

From what I see on this forum, fans (dedicated) are screaming, pleading for some cricket during IPL. They do not want IPL window. But their boards choose to ignore them completely and instead cater to the IPL.

The ICC also traded an IPL window for some BCCI guarantees. Thus also jumping in with the IPL.

Why aren't the dedicated fans protesting, opposing their home board stance? After all, the board's priority should be their home base fans.

As far as Holding goes, people are entitled to their opinions. Just as much, they are also entitled to their choices. The people, cricket boards and the ICC have made their choice. Everyone is right.
 
In my opinion the highest capability level and gold standard amongst bowlers and batters is still located in Test cricket.

Mainly for me this would be due to:-

Bowlers:
• They need to be fit and strong enough to bowl far more overs.
• Pitches are designed to last five days (or should be) so there will be long periods with comfortable batting partnerships where it is very difficult to take a wicket.
• Bowlers are generally less likely to pick up cheap wickets; in LOIs this is more common due to the batter(s) trying to drive up the run rate.

Batters:
• They need to be fit and strong enough to bat for much longer and face many more balls.
• They regularly need to concentrate for hours at a time.
• Although pitches in Test cricket are meant to be designed to last five days, there is often a tinge of green on the first 1-2 days and then the pitch normally deteriorates late on the fourth day and almost certainly on the fifth day, so “batting” is arguably “harder” throughout than it is in an LOI.
• There are no fielding restrictions, making it harder to score boundaries (and runs in general).
• The extreme physical and psychological pressure of heavily attacking fields with close fielders.
• Less short bowling restrictions.
• The red ball moves around more.

So for me the skill level is arguably higher in Test cricket across both the bowling and the batting disciplines, and certainly the fitness and endurance requirement for Test cricketers is far higher.
 
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This England vs NZ 2nd Test has all results possible on this 5th day, even after both teams notched 500 in their 1st innings'.

Another brilliant 5-day game going down to the wire.
 
No format of any sport ebbs and flows as much as test cricket. At its peak it is the complete sport that tests players physically and mentally, allows times for comebacks and can reward both individual brilliance and shrewd team tactics.

But for it to be exciting it needs to be played in good conditions, infront of good crowds and by equally matched sides.

It's why good pitches, 4 day day/night matchss and two divisions are much needed.
 
Pak should stop playing bi-lateral T20 & ODI crap & concentrate more on Test cricket.
 
What a shame for a Test match wicket.

It was an absolute graveyard for bowlers. Boult bowled his heart out but there was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING in the wicket for bowlers.
 
Yet another Test goes into the last day but this time only 2 results possible I feel
 
Good to see Tests going into the final session again, after an awkward 12-18 month period where a bunch of matches barely lasted for two or three days for some reason.
 
Amazing format - amazing results in the last few months
 
FiBioMCWIAgM92f
 
test cricket is the ultimate format, but unfortunately far too reliant on pitches, the pitches pak served up against aus, and I'm afraid they will against eng, are a terrible advertisement for test cricket.

whilst exciting, balanced and close games of test cricket are crackers, turgid slow meandering play for draw test cricket is pbly the most boring format of cricket.

the ICC should penalise home teams with point deductions in tests where >90% of overs are bowled, the match is drawn and less than 25 wickets fall. (the thresholds can vary)
 
MenInG said:
Amazing format - amazing results in the last few months
Click to expand...

Without a shadow of doubt TestMatch cricket is the premier format that sets the Gold standard for cricketers.

The amazing results we are seeing in Test Cricket recently ( as opposed to the vastly boring draws way back in the 80s and early 90s ) is due to white ball cricket and recently T20 cricket. Case in point was Rishab Pant chasing down 50 runs in about 5 overs. The white ball cricket has certainly contributed immensely to test cricket which makes it soo much more enjoyable.

Greatest sport ever bar none.
 
Very disappointing crowds at both test ongoing tests. Barely few hundred people.

Have the Aus. fans lost interest in tests as well? What about the Pak. fans? Where are the fans?

Of course, CA and PCB seem to be doing their best in making the tests boring, with the pitches on offer.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">How good is test cricket? 🙌</p>— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gmaxi_32/status/1599718285834334209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
uppercut said:
Without a shadow of doubt TestMatch cricket is the premier format that sets the Gold standard for cricketers.

The amazing results we are seeing in Test Cricket recently ( as opposed to the vastly boring draws way back in the 80s and early 90s ) is due to white ball cricket and recently T20 cricket. Case in point was Rishab Pant chasing down 50 runs in about 5 overs. The white ball cricket has certainly contributed immensely to test cricket which makes it soo much more enjoyable.

Greatest sport ever bar none.
Click to expand...

This match would have been an utterly boring draw but for Englands ultra positive batting and a very daring declaration. Whatta testmatch !!
 
U$ofA said:
Very disappointing crowds at both test ongoing tests. Barely few hundred people.

Have the Aus. fans lost interest in tests as well? What about the Pak. fans? Where are the fans?

Of course, CA and PCB seem to be doing their best in making the tests boring, with the pitches on offer.
Click to expand...

Crowd at the Test Match in Rawalpindi was just fine.
 
Attack, attack, attack!

On benign surfaces, bowlers quickly wilt.

Go down fighting but a captain that crumbles is never good.
 
Can't believe NZ came back to win by 1 run after following on. What an amazing advertisement for test cricket. Wish I watched the last session
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Test cricket Zindabad. A fantastic Test match in Wellington.<br><br>For me, the greatest Test match - Pakistan v Australia, in 1994 at Karachi, when Pakistan won by 1 wicket <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/sD8dcw01CS">pic.twitter.com/sD8dcw01CS</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1630457834004414466?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
NZ getting pummeled and forced to follow on, yet win by 1 run.

Australia getting whooped for 2 matches in a row full of capitulation, then bowl India out in barely a session in the 3rd Test.

Test cricket, never predictable.
 
Firebat said:
NZ getting pummeled and forced to follow on, yet win by 1 run.

Australia getting whooped for 2 matches in a row full of capitulation, then bowl India out in barely a session in the 3rd Test.

Test cricket, never predictable.
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Australia lost their last 6 wickets for 11 runs - who would have thought?!
 
Australia and India showing us how Test cricket should be played!
 
MenInG said:
Australia and India showing us how Test cricket should be played!
Click to expand...

Also, the venue helps a bit. I personally think England is the best place to play test cricket especially when weather is like this. There is something magical when test matches gets played here.
 
MenInG said:
Australia and India showing us how Test cricket should be played!
Click to expand...

Rajdeep said:
Also, the venue helps a bit. I personally think England is the best place to play test cricket especially when weather is like this. There is something magical when test matches gets played here.
Click to expand...

I watched the coverage today. Thought it was a really compelling and competitive day. There is something special about Test cricket in the English summer. You can’t beat Test cricket anywhere, but particularly at one of the top grounds in England.
 
James said:
I watched the coverage today. Thought it was a really compelling and competitive day. There is something special about Test cricket in the English summer. You can’t beat Test cricket anywhere, but particularly at one of the top grounds in England.
Click to expand...

Agree mate...its the best place for test cricket. Cant wait for the Ashes.
 
I agree, England is the best place where you can find conditions that favor both bat and ball which is critical for engaging test cricket. but kudos to both teams here they have put up a great show.
 
Many Indians think IPL is greater than test matches.Some were saying India-Australia rivalry is bigger than Ashes.They are wrong of course.Ashes is the oldest and still the biggest rivalry.The cricket is play with passion and no quarters are given.However off the field the teams get on well with each other.Basically they are they same people in terms of culture,language and religion.India-Pakistan games played between enemies hence the hatred and enmity.
 
Fenrir said:
Many Indians think IPL is greater than test matches.Some were saying India-Australia rivalry is bigger than Ashes.They are wrong of course.Ashes is the oldest and still the biggest rivalry.The cricket is play with passion and no quarters are given.However off the field the teams get on well with each other.Basically they are they same people in terms of culture,language and religion.India-Pakistan games played between enemies hence the hatred and enmity.
Click to expand...

It exists only between the fans of both countries. Time and again players from both countries have claimed that there was no animosity between them, and they got along extremely well off the field.
 
There is nothing like it. Nothing like it in the world.
 
I’m not sure how long the format will last around the world, but this match will go down as one of the classic legacy examples of why Test cricket is/was such a uniquely brilliant invention and one of the great games.
 
The series needed an England win today. Nothing revs up interest of fans like a win. Australia will win this series 3 or 4 zip
 
This match was a great advertisement for test cricket. Now only if the PCB could serve up some lively pitches and not complete roads all the time that would do a world of help for improving test cricket's brand image.
 
Fantastic Test match.

In terms of quality, it wasn't the best ever, but the tension, the way the match ebbed and flowed and both teams could have won in the end made it a brilliant spectacle.
 
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley insists a captivating Ashes can play a key role in preserving Test cricket worldwide.

This year's series is being played in a shadow of doom and gloom around the five-day game's future, with Steve Smith admitting earlier this month he has concerns about Test cricket's place in the sport.

The rise of Twenty20 leagues, and an increase in Indian Premier League owners buying out teams across multiple countries, looms as the biggest concern with the threat of players signing long-term, annual deals.

Fears were heightened last month, when Rajasthan Royals owner Manoj Badale suggested international cricket could be fitted into small windows around lucrative T20 leagues.

While Australia, England and India appear safe, there are concerns for other nations given players can make significantly more money in T20 cricket than from representing their countries.

South Africa will play four Tests in the next 16 months, while the vast majority of nations will play less five-day cricket between 2023 and 2027 than they did in the four years to 2017.

England have made no secret of the fact they want their Bazball style of play to help save Test cricket and make it more attractive for all nations.

And Hockley is adamant a strong series following on from the thrilling opener at Edgbaston can help the game in more than just those two countries.

"We hope that will be a stimulus to encourage players and administrators that it is the ultimate format of the game," Hockley told AAP.

"It is where legends are made, it is where reputations and careers are forged.

"In commercial terms, we have seen record audiences for this first Ashes Test. Both in Australia and England.

"We have seen big audiences around the world. That is driven by the compelling narrative."

Last week's first Test at Edgbaston broke several broadcasting records, with an average reach of 1.32 million people per day tuning in to Nine's coverage in Australia, and 2.1m watching the final day in England on Sky.

"What we're seeing through recent weeks in the UK is the importance and enduring appeal of Test cricket," Hockley said.

"People will talk about the Test match at Edgbaston for many, many years.

"That is a great advert for Test cricket across all countries, because the reality is that T20 has encouraged different competing pressures. Both from a cricket side and a commercial side."

Hockley is confident international cricket can ward off the threat of becoming secondary to franchise leagues, adamant the sport is acting to ensure Tests remain as the pinnacle.

Included in that is a belief that sport moves in waves, with Cricket Australia firmly of the belief Pakistan are one nation on the rise, with international cricket back in the country and healthy crowds overseas.

"We are acutely aware of the pressures and demands," Hockley said.

"The World Test Championship is a massive step forward, providing context to all the series and also making sure there is a well-established framework to ensure we play a range of teams.

"We need to make sure we are taking great care of international cricket.

"We have just seen with our latest round of broadcast and sponsorship deals, that World Cups have never been more popular.

"Whether it is other member boards or the players themselves, what is consistent is the love and care to want to make Test cricket flourish."


By AAP Newswire
 
But players these days avoiding test cricket like a "Zingabhag"

Test cricket is losing its charm now, too boring to watch 7 hours of Tuk Tuk.
 
Last edited:
Cricket Warrior said:
But players these days avoiding test cricket like a "Zingabhag"

Test cricket is losing its charm now, too boring to watch 7 hours of Tuk Tuk.
Click to expand...

Not too many Indians, Australians or English players avoiding Test cricket.
Lesser countries will inevitably prioritise shorter formats but it will remain a priority amongst the Top Three.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
gibsyhesperis said:
Not too many Indians, Australians or English players avoiding Test cricket.
Lesser countries will inevitably prioritise shorter formats but it will remain a priority amongst the Top Three.
Click to expand...
If there is no watching audience and these three continue playing among themselves so who will see it?
 
Cricket Warrior said:
If there is no watching audience and these three continue playing among themselves so who will see it?
Click to expand...
The reality is that test cricket is not financially viable outside the big 3. And I am a test fan saying this. The other nations should just play t20 as that's the future. Even in ind - test cricket is declining but because ind is such a huge population of 1.5b - even a small fraction of that is way more than eng and aus. Eng and aus still have a test match following and financially profitable.
In the SC However including ind - t20 is way more popular as the attention span nowadays is so less amongst the populations. Instant noodles eat and enjoy
 
What a fascinating day of cricket it is today. 2 games, 2 brilliant performances.

In a test match between Australia and West Indies, Australia needs 29 runs to win while West Indies need 2 wickets to win the game and level the series. Worth watching.

In another test match between India and England, India needs 231 runs to win, and still 5 sessions left in the game. But the day 4 and 5 pitch is tricky to chase such targets.

Superb games going on atm.
 
West Indies just 2 wickets away from shock defeat and England need 10. Great day for Test Cricket and Test Championship
 
What a test between Aus and WI, WI win was deserved and needed for the game
 
This is a real Super Sunday.

Days like this make all the nonsense, the politics, the frustrations of being a cricket fan worth it.
 
England India test match is also heading towards an exciting finish. Test Cricket at its best.
 
If T20 and leagues disappear only then can we have proper Test tours and series like it used to be 30 years ago. There is talent everywhere but it's getting wasted and not developing due to the shorter format.
 
Thank you England, India, West Indies and Australia.

January 28th 2024 will live long in the memory as one of the greatest days of Test cricket. Compelling, enthralling, twisting, turning with no shortage of skill or drama.

Today is why we put up with the nonsense, the politics, the tedium, and the controversies.
 
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