Now that the UAE fiasco has reached its inevitable conclusion and our batting renaissance has crumbled like an arrowroot dipped in tea, I am trying to find out why the away team at such a disadvantage in modern Test cricket.
I know you are saying this has always been the case, but what has happened since the year 2000 has gone significantly against the trend.
I am not a stats guy, but we can’t start analysing why unless some figures are displayed.
In the period from 1980 to 1989, away records for top teams were running at 51 wins against 74 losses. Not great but not disastrous. This covers tours to Australia, Asia, South Africa, New Zealand and England.
But what happened in the period from 2000 to 2015 is that the same top teams won 37 and lost 81. This is a much worse percentage. Is it a trend or an unexplained phenomenon?
I have questioned lots of people and uniformly get confusion and shrugs. What is the reason?
My opinion is based on what has happened in the last 15 years. The answer is T20 (including the IPL) and ODI games that haave resulted in a gradual improvement in the lower ranked cricket nations.
A Test match is five times longer than an ODI and roughly 12 times longer than a T20 game. A lot of these games mean nothing when it comes to winning or losing (except when there is World Cup to play for).
Most cricket watchers give much greater weight to winning or losing a Test match. When the Test ranking system comes in next year the emphasis on winning or losing will be greater.
One of my theories is that T20 and ODI cricket, with its emphasis on attack, has meant that previously cautious and overwhelmed teams have given it a go and not worried so much about losing a single game.
ODI and T20 cricket has already had an effect on Test cricket. The scoring rate that for years had lingered between two and three runs per over now seems to have increased to 2.5 to 3.5 runs per over. Although I have no stats to prove it I am sure that the number of sixes per Test has increased.
This confidence by previously overwhelmed teams seems to have caused the great improvement in their Test results at home. My theory still can’t explain why they can’t do better away. Maybe this will happen over a period of time. It also can’t explain why the bigger nations do very badly when they have away tours.
So, this last paragraph is like a shrug. Can any of you brilliant Roarers give me an explanation, or will this be the Marie Celeste of cricket questions?
Rellum
Roar Guru
There are ofcourse many reasons but the main one is the lack of tour games and the limited games they do get are against weak opposition. Our first of the modern style tours was the 2005 ashes series if I recall correctly. Check out how we have gone since then. Of course the declining standard of batsmen in this country which is mostly the result of Greg Chappell and Pat Horwards restructuring of the pathways.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Arcturus is spot on. Prior to the 80s, visiting teams to Australia played lead up games, normally the state sides finishing in Brisbane before the first test, that is five first class games plus a PMs XI. The Windies one tour had a game at Lavender Hill then at Katherine followed by the first test. ODIs and T20s take up January here. With the touring timetables, visiting teams (anywhere) are lucky to play a couple of lead up games, often against sub standard opposition, before the first test. I see these as the reasons why home teams dominate.
keith hurst
Roar Pro
Great idea, thanks
Arcturus
Roar Rookie
Dunno. Although I reckon shorter tours has a bit to do with it. In the past an English Ashes touring side would play lead up games on each and every test venue prior to the test. Ditto Australia when touring England. Now its fly in fly out, one warm up match against the PM's 11 at Canberra if you're lucky. With no time to practice on the home sides's wickets a touring side will always be at a disadvantage.
keith hurst
Roar Pro
Rubbish solution. The toss has been the same since the start of Test cricket. Why would changing it explain or even solve the problem? Keith Hurst
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
Rubbish Article! This article merely suggests that all teams have improved because of T20 cricket. It says nothing about why Home teams are enjoying a good run of results. Take the toss out of Test cricket and let the visiting team choose whether it wants to bat first or bowl. Whilst I think we may see a few more draws for awhile, the howler pitches will quickly disappear and results will even out somewhat.