Day-night Tests, not a distant possibility now?
Test cricket which is often referred to as the “True Test” for players who have to go through it to show that they indeed possess the spark to sustain at the International level. This form of cricket started way back in 1877 when England toured Australia. Since then the game has come through leaps and bounds, and had till a few years back retained its audience. The game until the late 2005 when the historic ashes was played had generated large amount of audience.
Today if former Legends are asked about which is the true test for a cricketer to go through anybody would say it is Test Cricket. Test Cricket? But do the today’s cricket crazy public today feel a part of this type of cricket which is not instantaneous or for that matter result orientated? It also does not provide the audience with the oomph! Which people look for in the other two formats. With the advent of the T20 cricket in the past two years has, like it or not, proved to be destructive for the other two formats. Even the ODI which was very popular with the game producing gems over the past two years with Australia’s brilliant 434 in South Africa and the chase that South Africans provided and took the game away from Australia. All these are just glimpses of the “Already Dying” format. The general public today in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 would opt for a T20 match rather than a test match or an ODI because of the length and also the sizzle that it provides.
After the IPL (Indian Premiere League) was introduced in 2008 the audience has largely turned their heads towards the much shorter format of the game. People say that the repeat value of these matches is also very high. Research has also show that the viewership has fallen dramatically for the test matches from what it was five or six years. Sounds alarming! And also shows the slow death of the Test. Experts would say that T20 cricket is just hogwash and no skills of the batsmen are on display, while test cricket would ideally test the player on each and every ground from the mentality to the fitness to his attitude and so on.
Until more recently, the ICC (International Cricket Council) and the MCC (Marlybone Cricket Club) discussed how to catch the attention of the audience and attract them to the oldest form of cricket. The introduction of the Day/Night match in tests would be an ideal test for Test cricket. It would not only reinvent the interest of the cricket crazy audience. The proposal to be put forth is that a test match would ideally begin during the daylight and end at night. Other factors are also being zeroed upon such as the ball that is to be used. The ball that is going to be used is also a question that needs to be answered considering the conditions and the light. The ICC is considering going with the pink ball but red ball which is used for the ODI’s is also in consideration. The only thing with the red ball would be that it has to be changed after every 34 overs, which is a matter of concern.
Also nations such as England would not be suitable for Day/Night test matches as the conditions are not suitable with temperatures dropping during the night. But nations such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 would provide for fascinating matches under the lights. Also the stands which nowadays look empty would be filled as many office workers would come back for a nice and relaxing game.
While most of the cricketing fraternity appears to be in favour of this initiative, the decision still needs to be considered and put to test before coming to any conclusion. Also after the recent discussions at the two day meeting of the MCC world cricket committee, which said that the pink balls were ready to go, it surely would be time for some change on the cricket field, with the Day/Night matches starting as soon as possible. The fans surely would hope this would give a new lease of life to the Test format which is the oldest format and instil fresh interest in the minds of the people.
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