Are Twenty20's striking the death knell of Test cricket?

Richard Dwight

The well established 'Five Day' game referred to as test cricket, is the surest way of assessing the ability of every player of the respective two sides - with a weak cricketer or two being exposed. This orthodox, classical form of cricket, is deliberately long drawn out for the reason, that a spirit of camaraderie, bonhomie and fellowship amongst the two teams could prevail.

The cricketers representing their country are ambassadors and, if they do win a 'Test match series, their morale in turn could soar, giving them a sense of well being.

Not forgetting that if the victory be from a developing country, it will give that nation a tremendous boost to lift its image. And what is more, it will be more beneficial to the particular nation in more ways than one, especially in the commercialized field. How true," it's deeds that matter in the end, and not hollow empty words".

Time is the essence of any forward looking venture, for "Time and tide waits for no man". It keeps rolling along swiftly with many changes being wrought. And so it's against this background with the prospects seeming good, that Keery Packer, perhaps for a reason or two brought into play the 'one dayers'.

This is confined to each side batting for fifty overs, and each bowler permitted to bowl ten overs - within a day match or a day and night (DN). The accredited recognized batsmen, do offer a straight bat to play in their usual orthodox manner, to pleasingly steer the ball through the gaps to reach the boundary. But if the overs keep receding, then they throw caution to the winds to bat aggressively to lift the ball over the ropes. The all rounders like the front line batsmen, indulge in the reverse sweep and go onto add something new like the 'Scoop' and the 'helicopter shot' to score as many runs as possible by hitting hard, before the 50 overs are exhausted. The side that scores more than the other, wins the match. Though innovative, it's interesting to be entertaining and is complementary to test cricket.

Nothing remains static in this fast moving world, when changes are effected in keeping with the current times and those ahead.

The same is true in the world of cricket - when a major change was brought about with the shifting of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Headquarters from Lord's to Dubai. This we believe led India to promote the T/20 form of cricket. This form of cricket consists of each side playing for 20 overs and each bowler permitted to bowl 4 overs. The side that makers the most number of runs in their 20 overs is deemed the winner.

The controlling body of Indian cricket, realizing that India has a vast population and, the assurance that there would be a large cricket crazy crowd of spectators to catch the action - did go ahead to organize a series of IPL, T/20 matches. The cricket provided was exciting to be thrilling, with the batsmen lifting the ball, here, there and everywhere, runs was what mattered and when the sixes hit the stands the delirious crowds yelled for joy - just like children shouting with delight, when rockets are sent up during festivals. This form of cricket is popular among the organizers, players and spectators from more reason than one. Sri Lanka cricket strove to follow the Indians by holding the SLPL, T/20 matches, of which the less said the better.

Our view is that the battle of the ashes with 5 test matches between Australia and England, as traditionalist will be sustained - while in the Asian Region Test matches will be reduced 2 or 3 with more of one dayers and T/20's.

Responsibility is now thrust on the school cricket coaches, to teach the lads the scoop, the helicopter shot and the reverse sweep which is not fair by the bowler. But this is a batting game so be it.