Test cricket

Seriously, how good is it.

In the last few weeks we've had:

- A massively tight and entertaining NZ v Pak series which among other things unearthed a new superstar in Usman, entreched Vettori as one of his countries best cricketers, saw the comeback of the guy who is possibly the best fast bowler in the world when fit and had plenty of twists and turns.

- A surprisingly competitive Aust v Windies series including a 71 ball ton from Chris Gayle which followed him carrying his bat in the previous innings, a brilliant debut ton from Barath, typical doggedness from Nash, the emergence of an exciting bowler in Roach, the evolution of Watson into one of the most valuable all rounders in the game, the emergence of Bolly and a fine bowler and crowd favourite, some argy bargy and 2 close, gripping tests

- A dominant batting performance from India against SL including Viru's masterpiece

- What is shaping up to be another thrilling test between Saf and England.


Something for everyone.

This summer marks my 30th year of watching test cricket. Seriously, there is no better sport in the world.

Doesn't even begin to compare to the excitement of a T20, surely?

But but but... a T20 match has more sixes! I'll definately remember the six that what's his face hit against that team in that memorable match involving thing-a-me and wots-its-name.

JGK wrote:Seriously, how good is it.

In the last few weeks we've had:

- A massively tight and entertaining NZ v Pak series which among other things unearthed a new superstar in Usman, entreched Vettori as one of his countries best cricketers, saw the comeback of the guy who is possibly the best fast bowler in the world when fit and had plenty of twists and turns.

- A surprisingly competitive Aust v Windies series including a 71 ball ton from Chris Gayle which followed him carrying his bat in the previous innings, a brilliant debut ton from Barath, typical doggedness from Nash, the emergence of an exciting bowler in Roach, the evolution of Watson into one of the most valuable all rounders in the game, the emergence of Bolly and a fine bowler and crowd favourite, some argy bargy and 2 close, gripping tests

- A dominant batting performance from India against SL including Viru's masterpiece

- What is shaping up to be another thrilling test between Saf and England.


Something for everyone.

Yep. How good it will be if there's just test cricket and nothing else esp. if every test can throw up a non-draw result. Good teams (and players) can play each other that much more often.

vilkrang wrote:But but but... a T20 match has more sixes! I'll definately remember the six that what's his face hit against that team in that memorable match involving thing-a-me and wots-its-name.

I know the one you mean - awesomezzzz innit!

And there's no way that tomorrow morning at the WACA could ever be remotely as tense and exciting as a T20, it's absurd.

test cricket is good and BCCI is no.1.

Test cricket is not as good as Rugby League football (the greatest game of all), Golf & Ultimate Surrender.

Sorry

WideWally wrote:Test cricket is not as good as Rugby League football (the greatest game of all), Golf & Ultimate Surrender.

Sorry

Hmm. If you prefer rugby-lite you must also like T20 more?

I wrote Rugby League not Rugby Union.

Test cricket is fourth on the list of great sports & T20 wouldn't feature even if the list reached 100. Neither would Rugby Union.

Yes, you see, you lose all credibility there. Preferring British bulldog over a real game.

League is rugby-lite. Seems just as meaingless to rugby as a whole as T20 does to cricket.

Shoeshine wrote:Yes, you see, you lose all credibility there. Preferring British bulldog over a real game.

It's my list, not yours. It has absolutely nothing to do with you. Why do you feel the need to criticize it?

WideWally wrote:

Shoeshine wrote:Yes, you see, you lose all credibility there. Preferring British bulldog over a real game.

It's my list, not yours. Why do you feel the need to criticize it?

*Sigh*. Obviously too much to hope you have a sense of humour and can spot being teased then.

Viva test cricket.

Unlike a lot of people here I can appreciate 20/20 for what it is and for what it brings to international cricket, but Test cricket is far more memorable. For example, I will take a hell of a lot more from this series than our successful 20/20 World Cup campaign, even though it's likely we will lose 2-0.

Yeah, I don't hate the shorter stuff either (though I do when it's played on horrible slow pitches) but there's been far too much of it recently and I just couldn't keep interested. At least we've got some proper cricket happening around the world again, shame there's not many people at the grounds though.

agree, Usman has been a great find

even people outside PAK(and NZ) know his name now

philcric wrote:Yep. How good it will be if there's just test cricket and nothing else esp. if every test can throw up a non-draw result.

Why? I have seen some pretty exciting draws.

Watching a couple of tailenders gutting it out for the draw is one of the beauties of test cricket.

taipan wrote:

philcric wrote:Yep. How good it will be if there's just test cricket and nothing else esp. if every test can throw up a non-draw result.

Why? I have seen some pretty exciting draws.

Watching a couple of tailenders gutting it out for the draw is one of the beauties of teat cricket.

Yes, but I doubt philcric is as much into "teat cricket" as you, taips . . .

thanks

I'd be interested to know the rules . . .

Test Cricket - grouse as.

WIFAN wrote:Viva test cricket.

Unlike a lot of people here I can appreciate 20/20 for what it is and for what it brings to international cricket, but Test cricket is far more memorable. For example, I will take a hell of a lot more from this series than our successful 20/20 World Cup campaign, even though it's likely we will lose 2-0.

Yeah, although Test cricket is the ultimate, I wouldn't question the rights of the other two formats to co-exist. I think a different set of players for the T20 format would help emerging players get into the limelight. The ODI format needs a re-think too. Its far too batsman-biased to capture any prolonged interest.

tac wrote:

taipan wrote:

philcric wrote:Yep. How good it will be if there's just test cricket and nothing else esp. if every test can throw up a non-draw result.

Why? I have seen some pretty exciting draws.

Watching a couple of tailenders gutting it out for the draw is one of the beauties of teat cricket.

Yes, but I doubt philcric is as much into "teat cricket" as you, taips . . .

Well WW did mention Ultimate Surrender earlier.

I adore Test cricket, no bones about it.