Test Cricket -- looking up !!
Recent Two Test series made a mark and impact on the future of Test cricket . While it is clear, that the shorter version of the game has more interest , is result oriented and pulls the crowds in to the stadium with added entertainment and hype, the longer version of the game has drawn lesser crowds and lesser following . But this may change not dramatically as one would think --- If Test Matches are played the way it was played in the recent South Africa - Australia Series and to a lesser extent in the final test between India and West Indies --- there are bright chances for the Test matches to survive and thrive to a extent the onslaught from the One day and the T20 version's of the game
What made the two test series interesting ?
The South Africa - Australia Test matches was a outstanding one .It had great intensity , players focus on the game and plenty of following. The bowlers of both teams did better than the batters. The first test was done and dusted in two and half days.
Day 1 : Australia batted through . Day 2 : Aussies wound their first innings close to 300 runs. Then in a amazing mayhem , twenty-two wickets or more fell on the same day. SA were bowled out for 96 in their first innings . The ball seamed , bounced and swung and I still do not know what happened for the ball to do all that it did just on Day 2 of this Test match. It was nice to see the batsmen hopping around , missing to connect and wanting to get out of the middle. One could smell the "Red Leather" as they say, when the ball flew past the batsmen close to the Helmet.
Great stuff. Aussies did no better . Shot out for 47 in their second innings , their last wicket partnership was the highest of the innings , 26 runs scored, with the ninth wicket following at 21.. Yes it was Test cricket and the score read 21 for nine . I thought this was a local club match but the batsmen dismissed were the likes of Watson, Ponting , Clarke and Mr Cricket Hussey. So not a local club match or gully cricket. SA began the run chase for victory on day 2 itself . And so both teams batted their 1st and 2nd innings on the same day of the test match which must have been unique event by itself .When SA began their chase, I thought they were going to struggle. But Smith and Amla attacked with gusto and to everyone's surprise based on the how wickets tumbled , SA romped home to a easy victory. It was great stuff from SA to win after conceding close to 200 runs lead on the first innings.
The second test was even more interesting. After a well contested first innings where the bowlers always had the upper hand not allowing the bat to dominate, Australia had to chase 310 in the second innings. SA bowlers were splendid and kept taking wickets at the right intervals and Aussies were struggling . But tail enders saw Aus through to a unexpected win , thus levelling the two match series at 1-1 . Fabulous contest between bat and ball.. There were star bowlers for both sides. Philander for SA and Pat Cummins for Aussies. Both making their Test debut in this series and Pat Cummins is only 18 but can bowl real fast and bat with exuberance of youth… In the end it was his batting that helped Aus clinch victory
The second series between India and West Indies went the predictable way. India going up 2-0 in the first two matches quite comfortably although they wobbled in the first test. The third test came alive on the final day as WI crashed in their second innings and then India had close to 60 overs to get to 243 and if not for Sehwag, India would have settled for a draw right from start. India chased down , made it safe for a draw in the penultimate ball of the match and then went for the winning runs which they did not get and settled for a draw !!
My reasons for these series to be interesting
The teams have started playing to win and not draw. That made the game s very interesting.
The captains outlook is so important and if the captain decides to make it boring , we can only get tame draws as results (which used to be frequent in the past. )
The wickets are no more batsmen friendly … they give opportunity to the bowlers who are willing to bend their back and willing to experiment.
Scoring rate has been very good . This means that the batsmen are willing to take risks and play their shots. Recently Zimbabwe nearly chased down 375 in the fourth innings target against New Zealand. They fell short by 34 runs but the scoring rate was pretty good at 3+ an over .
We have players like Sehwag who take it to attack at every opportunity and that helps
Domination by teams is declining … The match goes through phases where each team has its moment . We have had matches in the past that have been so one sided.
I am just hoping Aus carry on their attitude when India tours Australia later this year… India need to play to win and I think it will be Test Cricket at its best. Can't wait for the "Boxing day" for the first test. Of course, we will miss Bhajji and his vocal exploits !!
What made the two test series interesting ?
The South Africa - Australia Test matches was a outstanding one .It had great intensity , players focus on the game and plenty of following. The bowlers of both teams did better than the batters. The first test was done and dusted in two and half days.
Day 1 : Australia batted through . Day 2 : Aussies wound their first innings close to 300 runs. Then in a amazing mayhem , twenty-two wickets or more fell on the same day. SA were bowled out for 96 in their first innings . The ball seamed , bounced and swung and I still do not know what happened for the ball to do all that it did just on Day 2 of this Test match. It was nice to see the batsmen hopping around , missing to connect and wanting to get out of the middle. One could smell the "Red Leather" as they say, when the ball flew past the batsmen close to the Helmet.
Great stuff. Aussies did no better . Shot out for 47 in their second innings , their last wicket partnership was the highest of the innings , 26 runs scored, with the ninth wicket following at 21.. Yes it was Test cricket and the score read 21 for nine . I thought this was a local club match but the batsmen dismissed were the likes of Watson, Ponting , Clarke and Mr Cricket Hussey. So not a local club match or gully cricket. SA began the run chase for victory on day 2 itself . And so both teams batted their 1st and 2nd innings on the same day of the test match which must have been unique event by itself .When SA began their chase, I thought they were going to struggle. But Smith and Amla attacked with gusto and to everyone's surprise based on the how wickets tumbled , SA romped home to a easy victory. It was great stuff from SA to win after conceding close to 200 runs lead on the first innings.
The second test was even more interesting. After a well contested first innings where the bowlers always had the upper hand not allowing the bat to dominate, Australia had to chase 310 in the second innings. SA bowlers were splendid and kept taking wickets at the right intervals and Aussies were struggling . But tail enders saw Aus through to a unexpected win , thus levelling the two match series at 1-1 . Fabulous contest between bat and ball.. There were star bowlers for both sides. Philander for SA and Pat Cummins for Aussies. Both making their Test debut in this series and Pat Cummins is only 18 but can bowl real fast and bat with exuberance of youth… In the end it was his batting that helped Aus clinch victory
The second series between India and West Indies went the predictable way. India going up 2-0 in the first two matches quite comfortably although they wobbled in the first test. The third test came alive on the final day as WI crashed in their second innings and then India had close to 60 overs to get to 243 and if not for Sehwag, India would have settled for a draw right from start. India chased down , made it safe for a draw in the penultimate ball of the match and then went for the winning runs which they did not get and settled for a draw !!
My reasons for these series to be interesting
The teams have started playing to win and not draw. That made the game s very interesting.
The captains outlook is so important and if the captain decides to make it boring , we can only get tame draws as results (which used to be frequent in the past. )
The wickets are no more batsmen friendly … they give opportunity to the bowlers who are willing to bend their back and willing to experiment.
Scoring rate has been very good . This means that the batsmen are willing to take risks and play their shots. Recently Zimbabwe nearly chased down 375 in the fourth innings target against New Zealand. They fell short by 34 runs but the scoring rate was pretty good at 3+ an over .
We have players like Sehwag who take it to attack at every opportunity and that helps
Domination by teams is declining … The match goes through phases where each team has its moment . We have had matches in the past that have been so one sided.
I am just hoping Aus carry on their attitude when India tours Australia later this year… India need to play to win and I think it will be Test Cricket at its best. Can't wait for the "Boxing day" for the first test. Of course, we will miss Bhajji and his vocal exploits !!
Comments
Naresh