In the last few years, the game of cricket has through a lot of changes, and it’s mainly due to the invention of- T20 cricket. The nut-shell version of the game has attracted a lot of eyeballs and stadiums are mostly packed during T20 matches. Although, I am a big admirer of T20 cricket, but Test cricket has always been my most preferred form of the game.
THERE’S NOTHING LIKE FIVE-DAY CRICKET
Longevity is my most part of Test cricket. There’s always something special about following a routine and I believe, the five-day routine of Test cricket, is the reason why it’s called TEST cricket. Very few sports can match the longevity of Test cricket and the challenges it brings; physical, mental, technical and tactical. And, because it lasts over a period of five days, it spares us from ‘cricket spoilers’ like D/L method, shortened games etc.
THREE Cs OF TEST CRICKET
While T20 cricket is about how quickly you adjust to the situation of the game before it gets too late, Test cricket is about “three Cs-” concentration, class and consistency. It’s a cliche, but Test cricket is a test of players’ physical, mental, tactical and technical fitness.
THE MOST ROMANTIC FORM OF CRICKET
Where T20 cricket is about smashing big sixes and entertaining the crowd, Test cricket demonstrates the romance between a batsman and his hunger to construct an innings and score a big hundred. Similarly, it’s always fascinating to see a bowler setting up a batsman and finally taking his wicket. This romance between the bat and ball is what Test cricket is all about. For a cricket lover, there’s nothing like watching a game of Test cricket unfold session by session, day by day.
THE GOOD OL’ RED BALL
Test cricket is played with a red ball and not with a white ball which is used in ODI’s and T20’s. Although, there’s not much to pick between the color of the two balls, but, for some strange reason that I myslef don’t know, I always prefer ‘the red cheery’ to white ball.
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by Archit Athani
