With the consistent rise of Twenty20 cricket, and the recent resurgence of ODI cricket after the World Cup, plenty were saying that Test cricket is losing its relevance.
Attendances were down, as were TV ratings – and the poor form of the English side had reduced the interest of many in the upcoming Ashes. Even the introduction of day/night Tests was seen as an attempt to win back the hearts and minds of But is Test cricket actually losing relevance?
Firstly, I would like to say I do support the introduction of day/night Test cricket which we will see for the first time in Adelaide in November.
I think it’s a terrific initiative that will no doubt be welcomed with a hopeful boom in match attendances and television ratings.
It will be a whole new experience for cricket fans in Australia, a concept that appeared to have some success with the Sheffield Shield last season.
I am however, bemused at how this innovation has been considered a tool to re-invent Test cricket and maintain it’s relevance.
Last summer despite such a tragic loss to the cricket world with the passing of Phillip Hughes, the fans still turned out in their numbers, and interest in the Indian series remained high.
To add to that, the Australian side were having success. The previous summer we saw an unprecedented level of following and crowd numbers with the home Ashes series.
I do acknowledge that the emergence of T20 cricket can overshadow the ultimate form of the game that is Test match cricket.
But I get the feeling most fellow Roarers on here would agree with me that Test cricket tops all.
So, what I am asking fellow roarers here is what do you think are the reasons for the relevance of Test cricket being at risk?
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
IF the ICC will allow it to become global, they have fought off the IOC already. Though that debate is bound to pop up again.
Adam
Guest
The T20 format is great cricket. It is a good length game and provides fabulous entertainment. It highlights the incredible skill of the players both with the bat and in the field. I think this format has the potential to make the game global. In saying that I would hate to lose test cricket, I just love it. It won't always be popular with the crowds but the players and the real fans will always revel in it.
Johnno
Guest
Test-cricket is starting to feel long and boring, and toothless. I still feel the ODI World cup wasn't a success, so many boring games. Test-cricket is not expanding Test-cricket outside of it's traditional base. The rise of the associates, most will never develop into Test-cricket teams, the T20 and ODI attraction is obvious, and Test-cricket will die off. I'm starting to see test cricket as a game played in English boarding schools in the 1950's, it feels very out of date, and not jazzed up enough or commerciaised enough for the modern game.Test cricket doesn't make many rule changes, and the game has stagnated and hasn't evolved, it looks the same game as it was in the 70's. Ashes hangover, I'm Ashes out there been to many Ashes series the last 10 years.
MatthewSkellett
Guest
For the Associates who are vying over 3 years to get the chance to thrash Zimbabwe for the right to be the 11th Test Nation and full member it's VERY relevant
Geoff Foley
Roar Rookie
The problem for Test cricket is not crowds in Australia and England- test cricket is safe here. The real problems are South Africa and India, where there is only a very small following these days for test cricket despite the successes of the teams. The 'reinvention' is aimed at re-establishing test cricket in those countries.