Night Test Matches? It could happen if Cricket Australia gets its way.
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So what’s going on with the crowds over in India? During the second test in Mohali especially, it looked as if the stadium was less than a quarter full. We have a population of 1.1 billion in a supposedly ‘cricket mad’ country. Their beloved superstars are taking on the top team in the world in one of the most anticipated tours on the calendar, but no one turns up to watch.
One explanation I have heard it that it’s simply too expensive for the average Indian to get to the cricket, with the price of admission equaling an entire day’s wage. Fair enough. But how then do you explain the massive crowds that the IPL 20/20 tournament had earlier this year? During the IPL we were saturated with more than fifty consecutive days of cricket, and the stadiums were full almost every day.
So this begs the question, why will Indians (arguably the most passionate supporters of cricket in the world), turn up for a relatively meaningless 20/20 tournament, but shun one of their country’s most significant test series?
Has the gloss worn off test cricket? Well it certainly is hard to compete with the glitz and glamour of 20/20, not too mention the obscene amounts of money being thrown around in the shorter forms of the game. But I for one think it would be a disaster if test cricket is ever removed from its mantle as the premier form of the game.
But how do we keep it relevant and exciting, especially as it faces stiff competition from the cashed up 20/20 tournaments? I have come up with a couple of ideas that could put the interest back in test cricket.
1) Night Test Matches
This idea is already being floated by Cricket Australia, and I think it has some merit. Same game but put it under lights. It would certainly create a unique atmosphere and some more interest from the general public. I can also see some decent crowns turning up, as people can attend after work. It’s important to keep the day matches going as well, but let’s throw some night ones in there for a bit of balance.
2) Test Match World Championship
I think a lot of interest would be generated in test cricket if the ICC conceived a test ‘world championship’ or something similar. Whenever you play a test match, the points go towards the world championship table (similar to what the current ICC rankings are, but with actual significance). Over a period of 2 or 3 years everyone plays each other once and you crown the Test Match World Champion.
That’s just two of my ideas. I don’t think we need to do anything drastic to change test cricket, just something to spice it up and make it exciting again. What do you think?
2 comments:
Mate re: the first proposition, I bloody well hope not. Firstly, you'd have to change the ball from red to white which would mean the cricket whites would have to be PJs like in ODIs/twenty20, which i reckon would be crap,
secondly, it dramatically changes the game because its harder to bat at night
Having said that you raise a very good point about the Indian crowds, i thought hte same thing myself. It may be ugly but it may just have to happen.
re: the second proposal, it already happens mate! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICC_Test_Championship
Good ideas mate, cricket is going to have to think outside the box as it seems this Twenty20 bullshit is killing our great game!!!!
Wally
Thanks for your comments Wally.
Re the Test Championship, I am aware it already happens but I think it needs to get a much bigger promotional push from the ICC. The fact that you had to correct me sort of says it all doesnt it!
There was a big deal made of Australia's 'number one' status when we played the World XI a few years back, but not much since.
Maybe even a 'final' of sorts between the top two nations every two or four years?
Just some suggestions because like you I would hate to see Test cricket suffer at the hands of 20/20.
Perko
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