The three faces of cricket: Test, One Day Internationals and T20 (Part 1)
One of the more popular sports of the modern day, cricket has evolved from a simple bat-ball game to a game requiring a balance of passion and composure, aggression and patience and high levels of concentration and technical ability. Tests, One Day Internationals
(ODI) and Twenty20 (T20) matches, all fall under the general umbrella of the word cricket, yet each requires it own unique approach.
A great Test playing side is not always as successful in ODIs, nor a good ODI team is guaranteed to perform at the same level in T20s. Each format of the game requires different traits in varying amounts, with Test matches played at a different pace from
the relatively newer ODI and T20 formats.
The Test match format is the oldest, and some purists would argue, the ‘real’ way cricket is meant to be played. The form of cricket can be traced back to 17th century with the first Test match being played between the now infamous rival nations
of England and Australia.
The five-day duration of the test match is too long for some, yet if one understands the essence of cricket, then they would find it hard to disagree that it is the way cricket ought to be played. It allows the batsman to properly settle in, get in their
stride and put on the kinds of displays that leave the crowd in wonder and propel the player to stardom.
Sir Vivian Richards of the legendary http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 and Brain Lara are just a few of the many players who burst onto the scene and became worldwide phenomenon due to their performances in the longer version of the game.
One should be aware that those are as big as names get in cricket.
Taking the more recent example of Brain Lara and his 400-run knock at the Antigua Recreation Ground, the same ground Lara scored the previous high score of 375 runs against England, is the highest score to date in the world of international cricket. Any
person fortunate enough to witness that innings will know that test matches are where the real technical side of cricket can be found on display.
In 1999, Indian bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 off to a
near perfect start.
Yet, in what can only be described as a one man show, Kumble bowled the entire side out to write his name in history, as the world witnessed one of the greatest bowling displays in cricket.
At the same time, Test matches can also be the dull, dragged-on affairs that make it less appealing to the masses. Teams that are on the back foot, more often than not, will try and stretch the game hoping to play out the innings for a draw.
The result is usually a monotonous affair, with batsmen defending every delivery and the bowler’s frustration is shared by the crowd. There have been a few truly enthralling matches ending in draws, although they are a rarity.
Test matches are all about endurance, concentration and the technical ability of a player and one can find the true essence and purity of cricket within this format of cricket, that is if one has the patience to watch.
ODI and T20 to follow...
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