What’s the sense in that? In the good ol’ days we used to have regular 3 test series (referred to as short series), or the larger 5 test series. Sometimes, countries played a 6 test series, as they probably had a lot of time.
These days, we hear of 1 test series, 2 test series… what’s the fun in that? One day cricket has swallowed the itinerary of the series in such a way that the test matches look more like “fitted in” to shut up the puritans.
So, Pak will play NZ for a 2 test series in Apr-May. If both teams win one test each… what do we get? Everyone goes home happy?
Cricket, at its highest level, is supposed to be played like an elaborate game of chess. With rival captains playing different strategies to defeat the other team. Test cricket brings out the essence of cricket. The captains have to keep in mind, the state of the pitch, the tiredness of the bowlers, the time remaining, the wind conditions and the expected weather for the five days of play, the relative strengths of his fielders in different position and host of other factors. ODI just touch on some of these issues, which are more like hit-bang-bang and go home!
In recent times, due to growing disparity in team’s performance charts (frequent whitewash) or closeness of competition, we are seeing more and more test matches being decided. It is not like old days when after five days, both teams have barely completed one innings. Test cricket is again interesting. Its time the tour planners start thinking out of their commercial and financial tunnel-vision and plan cricket like it is supposed to be planned.
Play ODI’s, sure, they are fun. But don’t relegate tests to a secondary fiddle. Test cricket is the real essence of cricket.
at least I will be in Pakistan to watch these matches, last time I saw match in Pakistan was in 1987 world cup, seems like yesterday....damn time passes so quick.
Well sometimes, a team struggling to merely draw the test match, is really a wonderful match of cricketing skills. Draw is not bad. The lame cricket popular in mid 70's and 80's where people lost interest in test matches is now gone.
Test matches are becoming so rare these days that the teams themselves probably enjoy them a lot.
That is why... 2 test match series, sounds so in-complete. They should atleast play 3 test matches and take a go at series honors.
I agree two test match series is no fun. The interesting thing though is that usually only the series involving Pakistan are 2 test series. Mostly played at home. Most other team have 3 or five match series.
Pakistan though has been playing two test series for long. I wonder why???
One more thing, how about third class teams like Westindies getting to play 5 test matches against S.Africa and Australia where good teams like Pakistan and Srilanka are never given this much martches.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to agree to a two-Test proposal from the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) for the series in October, a PCB official said.
“We are talking with the ACB officials and remain hopeful that they will agree to play three Tests in October,” PCB director Brigadier Munawwar Rana told Reuters.
** As I said earlier, the idea of Pak cricket team going all the way to Australia to play 2 test matches (and some ODI's) seemed quite lame to me. At the least, we should get a complete 3 test series he**
I don't think think 2 test series that is being talked about is in Australia, its in Pakistan.
Pakistan has threatened Australia though, if they don't fullfill their demands of playing 3 test matches in Pakistan than Pakistan will not play 3 test matches as well when they tour Australia the end of next year.
Good comeback by PCB.
So far the past couple series Pakistan has played has been only 2 tests.
Against England, Bangladesh, Westindies, Newzeland, South Africa wants only 2 test when Pak tours in December, 2 months before the world cup, that is understandable.
I think its time that Mr.Zia takes some leaf from Dalmiya's Book and start hiting these GORAs left ,right and center.
Other way could be If they play 2 test then Pak should also play 2 test when PAK.
visits AUS.
It is time that these GORAs start beleiving that Subcontinent has both money ,spectator and future of cricket.
Personally I hate even 3 test match series.I love the good old days Test series of 5 matches.That used to be fun.Now a days by the time visiting team is settled you find that series is over.
[quote]
Originally posted by UMAIR316:
**One more thing, how about third class teams like Westindies getting to play 5 test matches against S.Africa and Australia where good teams like Pakistan and Srilanka are never given this much martches.
**
[/quote]
Just a clarification.
Due to bad economy of West Indies,generally what happens is that for every 2 away series of West Indies they have one home series againsta particular team. Thats why generally when any team visit West Indies they play 5 or 6 test match series.They try to compensate it.