Supersize My Cricket Please

Supersize My Cricket Please

In recent times, a lot has been written and spoken about the diminishing stature of test cricket, not only by fans of the game but by experts and former cricketers alike. With T20 being hailed as the modern man's game, one that not only provides a thrill-a-minute ride but is also conducive to the busy schedules of an increasingly impatient and busy society, it stands to become the premier version of our beloved game among the masses.

I started following the game of cricket at the age of 9 and was instantly lost in the tussle between bat and ball. Test cricket has always been the mantra I have lived by and have felt increasingly threatened by the advent of its youngest cousin. During the nascent stages of T20 cricket, I firmly believed that the senseless biffing on display would do very little to fulfil my insatiable desire to witness cricketing skills, physical battles, mind games and mental duress of the highest standard. As T20 has started gaining popularity and matches shave started taking place with more regularity, I realize that a lot of cricketers have felt the need to alter the character of their game to meet the demanding nature of a steepling run chase or the defending of a smallish total. There have been instances where certain players uphold the principles of the sport associated to correct technique, but then again there are numerous occurrences of ugly slogs and indisciplined bowling that would make Alan Davidson turn in his grave. However, seldom have these two very varying scenarios involved the same players. The players of the former classification have either been established test players for their respective countries or talented youth budding to follow in the footsteps of these celebrated gentlemen. These players have been unwilling to sacrifice the technical correctness of the sport and have shown ever so often that scoring at ten runs an over is always a possibility while adhering to the definitions of the cricketing text book.

Test cricket has been under siege for some time now and it breaks my heart to pick up a newspaper or log into a cricketing website and read about the predicted Armageddon of the five day game. For me, the longer version of the game has always epitomized the true character of a cricketer. Longevity in this form of the game is attained with a combination of hard work, cultured skills coupled with a sound technique, innovation in game play, and toughness of both mind and body. In my mind, the mental and physical battles fought in a test match are unparalleled by any other format. A recently concluded and one ongoing test series bring to the fore exactly these sentiments. One would have to agree in the end that that the 1-1 result obtained during the English tour of South Africa was anything but bad luck for the hosts. The English scraped through with a draw in the first test with some gritty and disciplined batsmanship by Collingwood and Onions for the last wicket after Trott had frustrated the Proteas with his antics between deliveries en route to a marathon 69. South Africa had the upper hand throughout the test match and victory seemed like a foregone conclusion. It was not to be as the English denied them glory by the application of basic batting principles despite the late flurry of wickets during the last session. The result was a draw but cricket was the winner. Bowling, batting and strategy on display were of the highest quality. England went on to win the next game by an innings, which, I believe was won more in the head than on the cricket field, after their heroics in the previous match had rendered them the self belief and fighting ability considered lacking during the pre series dissection of their chances. The English went on to save the third test against all odds again through some very resolute and sensible batting during which, that man Onions, again kept out a fantastic final over by Morne Morkel. Some may debate that the English had the rub of the green going