The Survival of Test Cricket - Part 3
Continued from Part 2...
It is known that the shorter versions offer far more financial opportunities, but where then the love for the game stands, as players profess Test cricket is the real deal?
Is it because former players like http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sourav-Chandidas-Ganguly-c90746 believe, "Test cricket will survive and other cricket will also survive because Test cricket has to survive, Test cricket is the ultimate form of cricket and I know for sure players will be remembered with
what they do in Test matches."
It is well established that Test cricket is the “ultimate form” of the game, but does that mean it will keep on surviving, even in the face of adversity? How often do we see great players retire from Test cricket to strictly concentrate on the shorter formats?
So far the ICC has done a fair job of maintaining interest in the longest format, but the threat has become ever strong since T20 is consistently gaining an edge over all other formats.
The question is, what steps can the governing bodies take, after having established all the issues plaguing the future of the 5-day format?
Firstly and fore-mostly, awareness is required, a drawn Test match is still a win for one of the sides, which fought back and denied the opposition any ground. It is important for the format to gain fans, and for that, people need to know more about it.
Secondly, Test series should not be confined between touring countries and the home teams, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/ICC-World-Cup-2011-c100625 should also conduct tournaments involving more than 2 teams, competing for a trophy. Smaller teams have less fan following, and thereby less turnouts for their
games. Keeping in mind such evaluations, the governing bodies should conduct series on the basis of “balanced” competition rather than one-sided affairs.
The ICC can prepare a bi-annual or a 3-year evaluation which can help rank teams upon Test performances. These rankings can then form part of a bigger plan, where a team's Test status may depend on such evaluations. This could further motivate sides into
playing Test cricket with much more determination.
Like the Cricket ICC World Cup being the most important event today (the 50-over format), there should also be a World Test Championship, conducted between the 4 or 5 nations that are on top in Test cricket standings.
The media should be asked to promote the longest format further to attract public interest. Top players can become ambassadors for the game, thereby garnering more support and sponsors.
In short, a lot can be done to promote and protect the format while the shorter versions thrive alongside, but it will not be possible if the concerned stakeholders (relevant authorities like ICC etc) do not believe it is feasible. Players can swear by it,
critics can consider it a yard-stick, but until those at the top give it serious thought, the survival of Test cricket is at risk.
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