And now for the long version test - in cricket

Richard DWIGHT

There has been within the year or two, an enormous amount of ‘limited over’ matches, be it in the nature of the twenty/20’s or the ‘one dayers.’

Far in excess to be exhaustive, where consideration of one kind or other appears to take precedence over rational thinking - that seems to have blinded us from exercising a healthier selective approach.

And so it would be a most welcome change, to find India pitted against Sri Lanka in a series of 3 test matches, here in the island. Interesting it would be to observe, as to which of the two sides will be able to swiftly adjust and adapt themselves to the longer version of the game, especially with the youngsters in mind.

The side that is able to make the necessary adjustments, to mentally shrug off the limited over approach better than the other, would be at an advantage to hold the whip hand.

It would be most opportune therefore to dwell briefly on the longer, as well as the shorter versions of the game.

Test cricket, to those of an earlier vintage and yet others, has come to be regarded as orthodox to be of a classical mould. Unlike in the limited over matches, the toss at the commencement of a test match is vital, to be a major happening.

Eagerly looked forward to with anticipation, the captain, on winning the toss, taking all aspects into account of a 5 day ordeal, will take the initiative to either bat or field first.

The respective skippers are made responsible to display leadership qualities. In the precise wringing out of the bowling changes and the assiduous relevant placement of fielders. Some of them who are confident enough to be enterprising, may during the first innings declare the innings closed, or do so during the second innings, or in the extreme, if needs be declare both innings closed to forge ahead.

The batsmen, bowlers and fielders are called upon to exhibit their skills and techniques in order to secure an advantage. Significant it is, that theren’t any restrictions in the number of overs, that a bowler can bowl and, so it’s attractive to see fast bowlers pacing themselves out.

Equally absorbing it is to witness the protracted dour duel between a reputed batsman and a renowned spinner - where the spinner relentlessly keeps on at the batsman, and employing a strategic ploy gets him eventually.

Such incidents sadly aren’t there to be seen in the limited overs game, be it from a spinner or pace bowler.

These are just the fringe aspects of the longer version of the game. There are very much more, according to the circumstances and situations that arise, where qualities of sportsmanship and virtue are allowed to gain ground, in this deliberately long drawn out game. The longer version of the game, undoubtedly for both teams is indeed a ‘Test’ in cricket.

It’s an education in itself for the discerning young, who are prepared to learn and, does hold much for the avid followers of Test cricket as well.

The ‘One dayers’ have proved to be complementary to Test Cricket, to give it as it were a sustaining effect. And so it has now come to be the happy mix in a cricket tour, that includes both test matches, and ‘One dayers’.

Whilst on the other hand, the twenty/20’s be it by the ICC or with the IPL format, has taken the world by storm to be ever so popular - especially among the young and not so young in this fast moving highly modernised world, where quick fire action does seem to be the need of the hour.

Some of us feel that the “Bell has begun to toll” for test cricket, though not in the immediate future, it will sadly with time be resigned to the limbo of forgotten things. Therefore we do look at the current test series with a measure of scepticism and, do hope that both teams India and Sri Lanka, will give of their best thrust, to ensure that test cricket enjoys continuity.