The Limited Overs Hangover

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On reflection of the 1st Indo-Pak test one thing very apparent was the limited overs hangover. Some of Pakistan's first innings dismissals emphasizes my point.  Let's take Salman Butt's wicket. He was bowled by a good inswinger from Zaheer Khan due to poor shot selection. A ball which he should have played back to, he tried that cute late cut which led to his dismissal. This was one of many abysmal shot selections in just one test match. And accross the Arabian Sea the Kiwis were all at sea aginst some good quality pace from the proteas. Why has the quality of test cricket come down so drasctically?

An overdose of ODI's and T 20's have brought the quality of the game to a new low. Batsmen have lost temperament and so have bowlers. Many bowlers nowadays are just running in without thinking. The game has become too impulsive. As a result we may see some moments of brilliance like Yuvaraj's 6 sixes and Malinga's 4 in 4 but looking at the big picture the result of the limited overs overkill is that the game has been left cruder, crasser and less skilled.

Just a glance at the schedules for the last few years and the forthcoming fixtures say enough. Most test series comprise of just 2 tests and many tests in the future are likely to be chucked for ODI's and the new rage 20 20. (Whats the harm for the ICC if they get their sum of cash?)

In 2015, say, we are most likely to have tours comprising of 1 test match, 3 ODI's and 11 T 20's. Or the ODI game could be scrapped altogether and in its place we could have 2 T 20 matches. Game 1 in the afternoon, Game 2 in the evening. Triangular series could finish in just 3-4 days. Test matches could become like exhibition matches. I stand disgusted just at the thought of it.

So, if some of you are with me, what do you think we can we do? Absolutely nothing! The public is what made T 20 such a big success (India winning also did help!) And I see a gradual transition taking place with cricket becoming more of a commercial sport rather than a purist's game. So what do you see through the crystal ball? Will cricket remain the same in a few years time?

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Posted by Ajesh Nag on Tue 27 Nov

2 comments

I think Test cricket will remain, at least between the stronger cricketing nations. I can't see much of a future for long test series between some of 'minnows' such as Sri Zealand and Zimladesh, they'll need to win a few 2 test series to earn that right.

The Ashes however will remain a good 5 - 6 test series, Australia v India should still get a run, and it'd be good to see Graeme Smith come out every few years for a spanking.

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Was he a crim?

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Posted by Moses on 2007-11-27 10:58:00

Perhaps Misbah had a pogo stick hangover.

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Posted by Anon on 2007-11-27 12:34:09

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