Why modern batters chase big totals in Test matches like a T20 – Good or bad?

[BouncerGuy]

Is it just me, or have big fourth-innings chases in Test cricket become more common lately? Teams are now hunting down 300+ totals like never before.

Historic chases in Test cricket aren’t just about belief—they’re also about the changing nature of the game. With fewer elite bowlers who can consistently deliver on day 4 and 5, and T20 cricket conditioning batters to attack and bowlers to retreat, the fourth innings no longer feels like a graveyard. It feels like a stage.

Are we witnessing a shift in how Test matches are decided—or just a temporary trend?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937739744995123658

 

[Rana]

No need to think too much if it’s a road

Just play positively

 

[mominsaigol]

Is it just me, or have big fourth-innings chases in Test cricket become more common lately? Teams are now hunting down 300+ totals like never before.

Historic chases in Test cricket aren’t just about belief—they’re also about the changing nature of the game. With fewer elite bowlers who can consistently deliver on day 4 and 5, and T20 cricket conditioning batters to attack and bowlers to retreat, the fourth innings no longer feels like a graveyard. It feels like a stage.

Are we witnessing a shift in how Test matches are decided—or just a temporary trend?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937739744995123658

Which team does that except for England? .

It's only England that can chase. They are the best SENA test batting team in the world. You need aussie conditons or Asian conditons to nullify them.

Otherwise its common knowledge that england are the best players of pace.

They have simply been cheated from wtc due to away dens being an issue.

But unless a brain fade occurs they should whitewash India and Pakistan ensuring 8 free wins this wtc.

I back England to win wtc 2027

 

[DeadlyVenom]

No it doesn't disrespect the format.

If you have the ability to do it, then do it.

 

[mominsaigol]

No it doesn't disrespect the format.

If you have the ability to do it, then do it.

It's not even about disrespect. No team has looked at a 370 total and just decided, yup lets not chase it because we have to respect the format.

They disnt chase it down cause they dont have the skills to chase it down

 

[Rana]

Which team does that except for England? .

It's only England that can chase. They are the best SENA test batting team in the world. You need aussie conditons or Asian conditons to nullify them.

Otherwise its common knowledge that england are the best players of pace.

They have simply been cheated from wtc due to away dens being an issue.

But unless a brain fade occurs they should whitewash India and Pakistan ensuring 8 free wins this wtc.

I back England to win wtc 2027

Valid point.

England the only team consistently showing this kind of approach

They were only jolted once when Pakistan went extreme with the spin tracks

 

[mominsaigol]

Valid point.

England the only team consistently showing this kind of approach

They were only jolted once when Pakistan went extreme with the spin tracks

Ben duckett is the best opener in Sena conditions in the world atm with Brooks being the best middle to lower order batter in the world in sena atm and Jamie smith is the best no 7 in sena atm. Stokes is crickets best test utility player.

(This is excluding Australia as I dont really consider there dens to be a part of the sena gang, AU has exclusive pitches)

No one is close to them with root being an atg in the format. Their only issue is pope and Crawley. These 2 aren't bad batters, they are good, but their still just okay batters and hence are weak links.

But I can understand why England opts for them as they won't fail every match, the matches in which they perform, they single handidely end the opposition.

This team is just too strong in Eng and NZ to logically take down. At best you can draw due to the toothless bowling attack but unless everyone has an off day, it is impossible to out bat current England in Sena (excluding Australia)

 

[Rana]

If this chase is being used as an argument,

Well let’s not forget that both Duckett and Crawley took the conventional approach for the first 10-15 overs going at 2-3 runs per over. They bided their time waiting for Prasidh and Thakur to come on to bowl and then cut loose against them peppering the boundaries. So they were going as you would expect most Test openers in the world to go.

The only difference really is the fact that the modern batter has developed strokes to counter threats in the past that would tie down batsmen in pursuit of big totals. For instance Duckett has been a master player of the reverse sweep and that too against the angle and against the spin. He’s found a way to nullify a serious threat.

A score of 371 against the same attack on the same deck 10-15 years ago would not have been chased. Those batters might have been of a better quality in terms of batsmanship but when it comes to bravery, today’s batters are well ahead.

 

[mominsaigol]

If this chase is being used as an argument,

Well let’s not forget that both Duckett and Crawley took the conventional approach for the first 10-15 overs going at 2-3 runs per over. They bided their time waiting for Prasidh and Thakur to come on to bowl and then cut loose against them peppering the boundaries. So they were going as you would expect most Test openers in the world to go.

The only difference really is the fact that the modern batter has developed strokes to counter threats in the past that would tie down batsmen in pursuit of big totals. For instance Duckett has been a master player of the reverse sweep and that too against the angle and against the spin. He’s found a way to nullify a serious threat.

A score of 371 against the same attack on the same deck 10-15 years ago would not have been chased. Those batters might have been of a better quality in terms of batsmanship but when it comes to bravery, today’s batters are well ahead.

Public perception has also changed. Despite constant crying about wtc, the format has incentivised the concept of winning test games.

Previously everyone played test for personal milestones except classic aus that wanted to win everything.

The idea was to bring out your A game in odi and t20 but treat test as practise runs. The likes of Lara would never score 400 today, this generation believes it to be a selfish innings however back then tests weren't really viewed as a competitive sport.

In the past they'd have played for draws and practise. It's due to wtc and desperation especially from India, SA, NZ, Aus and Eng to add more silverware to their cabinet that they go for wins.

WTC has brought alot of positivity but credit needs to be given to England the most. For example when the format was still brand new and only one wtc had been played, Australia didnt really take Pakistan seriously on home dens.

They were fine with 1 win and 2 draws. Its England that got furious and decided to punish Pakistan for their loser phatta mentality and torture them for multiple series in a row until aqib intervened

 

[Muhammad Saad]

Make the test match last 4 days long with 80 overs per innings , play it like T20 , ODI or however you want , atleast there will not be any draws.