Indeed, the entire Indian cricket structure – establishment, officialdom, fans, media – is treating this series as some sort of a walk-on role, an interlude between the sublime concert in Australia and the rock star frenzy that the IPL promises to be.
Frankly, only one side is treating this as Test cricket – hallowed tradition or hard sport, whatever it may be. That side is not India.
It’s a question of priorities. More than once, after a long series down under, we’ve heard visiting or Australian captains say that they’re too tired by the end of the endless ODI tri-series that climaxes the Australian season. It’s treated as a tiring and tiresome sideshow, after the main event – the Test series – is over.
Indian cricket is treating the South Africa series with the same “let’s get this over with” contempt. From next season, Cricket Australia is junking the tri-series altogether. What if some smart Indian official decides Test cricket is a waste of time? Indian cricket’s focus – commercial and political, given there’re simply more matches to hand out to allied state/city associations – is on ODIs.
The comments are well-deserving, take a time to read those, too. The article is an aim directed towards the death of test cricket (in the sub-continent). With no excitement and no coverage, empty stadiums with people choosing to ignore a high-profile series as this, everything included. ICC, with an organization as such, is holding it’s meetings to decide whether or not a bowler should be penalized for bowling a no-ball. Is test cricket on life support?
Ashok Malik suggests the following:
The ICC should formally announce that all future expansion of cricket nations is going to be in the ODI and, more likely, T20 formats. China, the United States, Malawi, whatever, whoever may someday take part in the T20 World Cup but will never play Test cricket.
To ensure quality it would be a good idea, in fact, to reduce the number of Test teams. Bangladesh and Zimbabwe should be derecognised as Test teams. They can continue to play as many ODIs or T20 internationals as they want, even set up IPL franchise clones of their own
No Test series should be less than four matches long. Six Test match series went out with the 1980s, but four or five Tests would ensure a fair contest. That length would allow a team to recover from a sluggish start. Imagine a fourth or fifth Test against South Africa, with Zaheer Khan and R.P. Singh back with the new ball and Sachin Tendulkar back in the order … A three (or two) Test series is a shame, even a travesty.
Test cricket should always be played in the host country’s core cricket season. For instance, India must play home Tests between November and February, not in April or May. Sri Lanka must not be forced to host Test series in rain-swept August only because it suits the visiting team’s travel schedule.
Since the number of ODI/T20/IPL/IPL-style fixtures is only going to grow (perhaps exponentially), what points 3 and 4 would suggest is that a Test team may be able to play only one or two series in a year. Test series will have to be spaced out, as they once were before a frenetic ICC Future Tours Progamme took over. Nevertheless, fewer Test series are worth the sacrifice provided they are longer and, almost by definition, more engaging.
Re: Indian cricket is treating this series with same “let’s get this over with" conte
Test cricket is the real cricket my friends. Next thing you know, you'll start calling fast food as real food! you Mcdonalds loving instant gratification seeking souls! lol
Re: Indian cricket is treating this series with same “let’s get this over with" conte
I don't understand why these cricket critics keep biching about interest dying down for Test Cricket. Life is fast-paced these days, most people don't have the time to follow 5 days. There is not RIGHT or WRONG. Whatever is popular will be successful. It's like Hockey players crying they don't get enough attention. Masses rule. IF most people wanna see ODIs or T20s then these retarded articles about Test cricket won't make any difference.
Re: Indian cricket is treating this series with same “let’s get this over with" conte
"Indian cricket is treating this series with same “let’s get this over with" contempt"
Not really. India annihilated SA (who are now ranked second behind Australia in tests) inside three days in the 3rd test (yet no one bothered to open a thread!) to draw the test series 1-1, something Pakistan failed to do a few months back. Bhajji was again the difference between the two teams. If anything it is Pakistan who need a reality check. We are falling behind other teams in the test arena simply because we do not play nearly as many test matches as we should. Too many ODIs and too many thaki hui series like the present one (in which I have no interest whatsoever. I am surprised that some people are even bothering to open threads!!....it shows how cricket-starved we are these days) has been the bane of our cricket over the last decade or so....though thru not entire fault of the PCB.
Australia, South Africa and India are clearly the three leading teams right now (be it tests or ODIs), SLA a close 4th and England 5th IMO.
Re: Indian cricket is treating this series with same “let’s get this over with" conte
Play more, live on
The more Tests you play, the longer you’ll live. Researchers at the University of St Andrews in Scotland reached this conclusion after studying the lifespans of 418 England cricketers born between 1827 and 1941. A long, fulfilling playing career increases the longevity of a cricketer, concurring with the theory that people who are happier live longer than those who are less successful. The study also outlined the importance of family background: those from privileged classes lived longer than those from less fortunate backgrounds. Amateurs with many Test appearances lived an average of 79.3 years, while professional players with only a few Tests had an average lifespan of 71.5 years.
Re: Indian cricket is treating this series with same “let’s get this over with" conte
Not really. India annihilated SA (who are now ranked second behind Australia in tests) inside three days in the 3rd test (yet no one bothered to open a thread!) to draw the test series 1-1, something Pakistan failed to do a few months back. Bhajji was again the difference between the two teams.
yes I agree
was funny to see the bandwagon jumpers calling for bhajjis head last series when initially he was not among the wickets
was a good competitive series played in good spirits (except for 1st test which was really dull except for sehwags triple which he got in a day), only wish it was a 5 match test series...
Re: Indian cricket is treating this series with same “let’s get this over with" conte
Cricket on a whole is definitely on the decline as a global sport.
If IPL is a success, why would any youngsters bother learning skillset of Test cricket when they get much more money, fame and glamour through the shorter T20?
Re: Indian cricket is treating this series with same “let’s get this over with" conte
^ There is a solution here.
The IPL (even ICL) could just say that only those overseas players who have represented their countries for a certain number of years (let's say 5 or more years) or played atleast 100 odd international games (Tests+/-ODIs) will be eligible to play in the league. Let's face it, people don't just come to watch these matches because of twenty-20 but for the thrill of seeing ex-stars and proven performers in action again. Without them the charm just won't be there. Money alone won't temp people to go and watch these games