Test cricket is considered to be the purest form of cricket but the popularity of this format is dying in the next generation.
This is the oldest format of cricket with the longest match duration and its standard is considered to be highest among all three formats.
But unfortunately, Test cricket has lost its charm in terms of competition as well as the crowd. Nowadays the cricket is being played in empty stadiums but before this pandemic, there was not a huge crowd in the stadiums during the Test matches.
The main reason for this was the lack of competition due to various reasons which will be discussed later.
So, to revive the Test cricket, ICC had amended some rules and allowed the day/night Test matches with the pink ball. Also, they have introduced the concept of the ICC World Test Championship to keep this format alive.
There is another concept of four-day Test matches which is already been implemented in the two Test matches. So the question is why there is a need for four-day Test matches? This is because there are startling stats of matches finishing within four days in the previous years.
In 2019 until August, 13 out of 19 five-day Tests have finished within four days – that’s 68.42 per cent, the highest ever for a calendar year in which a minimum of ten Tests have been played. While in 2018, it was 56.25 per cent (27 of the 48 five-day Tests) and in 2017, it was 47.83 per cent (22 of the 46 five-day Tests) and these three years are among the top five years in terms of a match finishing with a day spare.
Now, another question is why are Test matches finishing within four days? We have a recent example where Pakistan lost to England within four days despite losing some overs due to rain on Day 1. Here are some reasons for the matches finishing a day before schedule.
Technical flaws of the current players
There is always a special defensive technique for the batsman to play Test cricket but unfortunately, this is missing in the current players. We have seen the ’90s batsmen leaving whole overs but not going towards the ball outside off which forces the bowler to bowl in the line of wickets. This is a high temperament that guides a batsman towards the high scoring knock.
Nowadays batsmen usually tend to score quick runs rather than to stay longer and build innings which leads them to lose early wickets. Recently, I’ve seen Shan Masood leaving the ball, not going for quick runs and taking his time which gave me the glimpses of old Test cricket and every cricket expert is appreciating his innings.
There are few players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Steve Smith and others who play Test cricket as it is to be played and their batting is worth watching. So due to lack of temperament, teams are unable to bat longer which in turn finishes the match early.
(Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Quality of pitches
This may not be the perfect reason but this is also one of the reasons for early finishing. There have to be pitches that last for all five days and not begin to wear and tear in the second innings, especially in Asia.
But in present cricket, the pitches behave perfectly on Day 1 and maybe on Day 2 but begin to die out from Day 3 onwards. This results in the low-scoring contests because the ball begins to turn a lot and it becomes a difficult surface to bat on.
Whereas outside Asia especially in Australia and New Zealand there are drop-in pitches that are used in the whole season. Since this is an artificial wicket so it is good for one or two Tests but it begins to slow down as more matches are played. As the pitches slow down, it affects the quality of the game and thus results in the loss of charm.
Due to shorter format and T20 leagues
With the inclusion of T20 format and T20 leagues around the globe, the priority of players has been diverted. The players are finding the easy and short way to play cricket and maintain their fitness so they are leaving the longest format to make themselves fit and available for the shorter formats.
One such example is Muhammad Amir, who has left the Test cricket too early to make his career long in the limited-overs cricket. Also, the amount of money that foreign leagues have brought in also reduces the financial burden of the players so they’ll not hesitate to leave the central contract just because of Test cricket.
Also, if any player plays all three formats then due to playing short formats excessively, their technique of playing Test matches has changed a lot which in turn reduces the competition.
So, if the behaviour of the players remains the same which, will be difficult to change, then it’ll be almost impossible to revive Test cricket. They’ll have to give proper attention to Test cricket and I still believe this format cricket players perfect and true cricket lovers still love it.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
"Whereas outside Asia especially in Australia and New Zealand there are drop-in pitches that are used in the whole season. Since this is an artificial wicket so it is good for one or two Tests but it begins to slow down as more matches are played. As the pitches slow down, it affects the quality of the game and thus results in the loss of charm." No no no!!! Drop in pitches are NOT "artificial" pitches. They are as "real" as in-situ wickets and it's not one wicket, it's a centre square of typically 5 wickets, so the same wicket isn't being used for match after match.
Simoc
Guest
Only the Ashes is the most popular test series. India vs Pakistan would be if they played. The following is mostly old-timers who have nothing else to occupy their time. Not so long back the first day of a NZ vs South Africa test series drew 12 paying spectators. That would take some beating even in a pandemic. Australia treats most other nations outside of England, India with contempt when arranging test fixtures and India treats everyone else with contempt including Australia. Four day tests would be fine .
Tony Hodges
Roar Rookie
I think four day Tests could be worth a try if done cleverly - 100 over days, and a fifth fifth held in reserve in case of rain could do the trick.
Simon
Guest
The best test matches are scheduled for 5 days and finish in 3. If anything I think we should make conditions more favourable to bowlers, particularly in Australia
Buk
Roar Rookie
Hi Muhammad All good points, especially about many test batsmen's temperament/effectiveness being lessened by shorter forms of the game, & the money aspect re 20-20 leagues. I can't blame players opting for lucrative 20 over leagues, my guess is players in countries outside of the big 3 (Australia, India, England) simply have to opt for 20-20 to make comparable money. And even if you are within the big 3, there is obviously no guarantee of long-term employment/earnings. But is test cricket really dying? That been suggested for a long time, but it continues.
JGK
Roar Guru
I reckon the improvement in DRS technology is also affecting the length of the game. The so called benefit of the doubt has virtually disappeared and this is going against batsmen (unless you are playing Australian and Tim Paine is your captain). I'd also suggest that fitness management means that good bowlers are extending their careers these days by basically being saved just for Tests (eg Jimmy and Broad) and that this means the average attack is stronger than previously.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Great comment Paul and I agree. Test Cricket is about the battles within the battles, batsman v bowler, which sessions see the bat or ball dominate and the plans made by teams to take advantage of or defend these opportunities. And as we are seeing more results it means we are also getting to see those crucial chases with a result in the offing. Scintillting for a purist fan. While the introduction of the pink-ball for day/night Tests is a smart move the ICC (read BCCI) need to continue to make the product more attractive and definitey more accessible and that starts with Cost. The advent of hit and giggle has certainly impacted the Test game. Teams score quicker and are generally more aggressive. The danger is in compromising the oldest battle between bat and ball. The ball must have periods of dominance and provide examination of technique. Bat dominating ball by design is just a nonsense. Just look at the success of the last ODI WC in England.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
In Australia and England test cricket has never been more popular. If 68 % of tests are finishing in four days (or less), then cutting back to four days would see a signficant increase in draws, which would not be in the game’s best interests. The fifth day needs to remain available, same as the follow on needs to remain an option even if most teams decline to enforce it these days. If tests were only four days, then Australia would not have won any tests in the Ashes last year and England would have won back the Ashes.
Paul
Roar Guru
You almost lost me in your first three paragraphs, Muhammad. I don't think Test cricket has lost it's charm at all. Look a the numbers that turned up to watch the Ashes last year. Look at the quality of the contest between Archer & Smith, the courage of Labuschagne, the heroics of Stokes and tell me Tests have lost their charm or magic. The main issues, apart from a lack of batsmen with the right technique to succeed in Tests, is the costs for people to attend a days play and the need for instant gratification many seem to want. I've not been to a Test in the big States for ages, but recall many complaining about the price of everything when they did go to Perth, Sydney, etc. I'm also wondering if you're asking the right question? To me, the issue isn't about whether a Test should last 5 days, but whether we are watching good hard Test cricket AND getting a result. I recall the last Ashes Test at the MCG which went the distance. It was simply boring. I compare that with the First Test the Windies won and the last Test Pakistan lost and there were moments in both games that were as good as it gets at Test level. If batsmen can tighten their technique but still play attractive cricket and the games are tight, I think Test cricket's still in a good place - if they'd bring the costs down.