A lot of former players feel strongly, and quite rightly so, that an overkill of Twenty20 cricket would be dangerous to the very existence of Test cricket
Au00a0lot of former players feel strongly, and quite rightly so, that an overkill of Twenty20 cricket would be dangerous to the very existence of Test cricket. I reckon all three formats can co-exist only if there is no excess of the shorter version. Surely, Twenty20 cricket has excitement and entertainment value. However, it could prove detrimental if Test match cricket is not given its due importance. For, it is the five-day version that ultimately tests the fitness, skill and temperament of a cricketer.
Tharanga Paranavitana
Kumar Sangakkara
Mahela Jayawardene
Virender Sehwag
Sachin Tendulkar
Suresh Raina. Pics/AFP
Super knocks
Despite superb knocks from Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina in the second Test against Sri Lanka which concluded at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo yesterday, the match ended up being a dull, boring and listless exercise where close to 1400 runs were scored in the first innings itself. The culprit, without a doubt, is the flat, placid wicket.
Don't blame T20
You won't have to blame the Twenty20 form of the game for the killing of Test cricket if such tracks continue to be dished out. Test cricket could kill Test cricket.
I won't be surprised if those fast bowlers who missed this series due to lack of fitness or form are heaving a sigh of relief for not being there at the receiving end. It was a lambs to the slaughter situation in Colombo for the hapless bowlers as they toiled over after over for five long days.
Who would want to run in 25 yards in heat and humidity to bowl his heart out on a wicket that has nothing for him?
Moreover, I won't blame bowlers for thinking about the more lucrative option of bowling four overs in a Twenty20 match for a lot more money than to bowl 20 overs a day or say 35 overs in an innings without much reward!
Now, who is to blame for this? Surely, the host country's administrators. Unless, they prepare good wickets, Test cricket will die a natural death.
Presently, you get a few hundred die-hard fans in the stands. If this continues, nobody will come to watch the traditional form of the game even for free.
Wake up, ICC
The time has come for the International Cricket Council to call the shots and punish the culprits (i.e staging associations) either monetarily or by banning them from hosting matches for a period of time. The match referees could be given powers to submit their reports for the ICC to take action.
The ICC will have to act if Test cricket has to survive. But will they? Your guess is as good as mine!
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