What an amazing finish in Hobart. Test cricket is alive, not dead. This match had everything _ tension, wickets, runs, excitement, emotion, careers hanging in the balance, a good green pitch.
Keep Test cricket going, I say.
Which brings me to the point about the length of Test series.
Test series have been played over six, five, four, three and two matches, with occasional one-off Tests.
For me, six is generally overkill and would kill tension, although I have no issues with a six-Test Ashes series with matches in every state, or five states and the ACT. Give Canberra or Hobart an Ashes Test? Why not?
A four-Test series can work but to lacks the tension of a five-Test series while dragging on longer than three Tests.
Despite what I previously thought, a two-Test series can create excitement, as we saw in the series against New Zealand. But I don’t think a third Test would have had the same cutting edge as we saw in Hobart.
Would New Zealand have had the class to close Australia out in three Tests? Maybe, maybe not.
This two-Test series has been a success. I prefer three for India and five or six for England, but I have no issue with the two-Test format for teams such as New Zealand, West indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
And that is not insulting those teams, it is just what captures the public’s attention best right now.
I also found the recent South Africa-Australia series to be nail-biting stuff. It too was only two Tests, but it had the required energy and tension to hold the interest.
As Twenty20 expands, more two-Test series may be necessary. They might even save Test cricket.
johnnoo
Roar Pro
It can work and Timmuh, and i like your idea of 7 tests. And I believe in test crick tbeing spread around regional Australia and defiantly think Canberra our national capital should get a test match sometimes, it would be good for cricket if they did. I enjoyed when australia played a top end series VS Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Cairns and Darwin it was excting in my opinion.
johnnoo
Roar Pro
G'day Ben. i agree mate the 2 test series for me has maintained energy and intensity. You know the result will be done and dusted quick, all good. I beat you by 24 hours, well that you telling me that i see as a positive. There are clearly other fans out there of a 2 test series. I have spoken too mates and they like the concept too. the rugby without he tri nations when it was 2 matches vs each team nz, and South Africa I found exciting like around that 2000 mark. And the tri nations was good again under 2 test concept, and rugby championship next year will be good too. Sometimes for some teams 3 tests can be overkill and kill of energy and interest. 2 test concept for me without he black caps has proven to be a winner Ben and many other fans out there like me and you who agree with me and like test cricket have 2-test series, a winner for many fans and may help save cricket I think.
daniels
Guest
6 or 7 tests would be a far better situation. I have always thought the 5 or 6 has really put the pressure on the team and organisers, and i think the whole home and away series needs to be more strictly enforsed
Timmuh
Roar Guru
I'm a fan of seven Tests every summer. Either five and two, or four and three depending on who is touring that summer. The seventh Test could be cycled through cities which currently don't get a match. For example, in Newcastle one year, Canberra another, if the time of year suits Townsville as well.
sheek
Guest
Does the banner headline belong to the author or the site controllers? Because the article is a bit confusing. Two test series is a load of rubbish, & a disgrace to the structure of the game. It's a bit like trying to please everyone, but only succeeding in pleasing no-one. The whole idea is to have everyone play each other (both home & away) over a 4 year window. But as usual quality is being sacrificed for quantity. Call me politically incorrect, but I couldn't care less if we never played Bangladesh or Zimbabwe, they are a disgrace to the term "test" cricket.
Sports Writer
Guest
Two-Test series are a pointless waste of time. What does either team take out of a drawn series?? I realise a series can be drawn no matter how many Tests are played, but the past two Two-Test ones Australia has played have been drawn and all three teams have come away with an empty feeling - much like the first 2010 AFL grand final draw. ICC should make series a minimum of three Tests. And I would love to see more than two Tests against any of those four teams you mentioned. I love watching the Windies play and the Aust-NZ rivalry is always exciting
Ben Carter
Roar Guru
Hi johnnoo - beat me to it by 24 hours mate. Two-Test series seem to be brilliant based on the past fortnight! Maybe they can be used to really force teams to go for a result (as there's no chance of a third game to decide it), but probably for the sake of the sport internationally, methinks three Tests should still be the minimum. You really should have the odd-number to ensure as clear a result as possible.
amazonfan
Guest
I don't know if it's practical, however maybe they could have a third test as an option. If the series is tied, have a third test. If not, then have the twenty 20 games. It probably is too impractical due to television coverage and stadium management not necessarily being flexible, but I think it should be there just in case. I certainly agree with Al & TG that a deciding test is much preferable to having a twenty 20 game, but if one team is leading 2-0, there is really no point in having a third test.
The Grafter
Guest
Any series be it cricket, baseball, league, basketball finals has to have a number that can determine a winner. Yes cricket is somewhat different with the draw being a third option, however like Al, I m of the opinion we should be getting ready for the decider starting tomorrow instead of the T20 rubbish.
Al from ctown
Guest
I don't think anyone doubts the excitement and suspense of the last two test series, however the real issue with the two test format for me is that I'm left feeling empty with a one all draw and no decider to follow... Think of the hype and build up to that all crucial last test, the real pressure on both teams.... But no, it was taken away from us for a few twenty 20 games.... Sorry mate, just not good enough for me. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.