5 Reasons Why A Long Test Series Is Challenging

The first Test match between England and India was a close contest. India competed against the home team and lost the game by a narrow margin. If India win the second game at Lord's, the series will be tied 1-1 with three games to go!

This is the beauty of a five-match series, it stays open for a long period of time. A five-Test series is a rare occurrence in today’s T20-dominated era. However, if teams continue to play the way they did in the first Test, this situation might change in the future.

Here are five reasons why a long Test series is the way to go:

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#1 Squad

England v India: Specsavers 1st Test - Day Three

It is not just about the 11 players that play on the field, it is about the entire squad. In a long series, a variety of players can be picked as per the conditions and requirements. Also, if a key player gets injured, the team’s bench strength is tested.

Team India had to face a big setback when Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were ruled out of the first Test. Even then, the Indian bowlers managed to pick up 20 wickets in the game. A youngster like Karun Nair might not get a game during the series but he will learn a lot from this tour.

#2 Form and Technique

England v India: Specsavers 1st Test - Day Four

Form is temporary but class is permanent. A batsman’s form might wither away in a Test or two but it takes a classy batsman to score consistently in five games. This holds true for a bowler as well. It takes a lot of character to keep performing for the team over a period of time.

The opposition can figure out a way to play a bowler over the course of a five-match series. Bowlers can spot weaknesses and work on ways to trap the batsmen. This is where the technique gets tested. Players need to evolve quickly to stay a step ahead of the opposition.

#3 Drama

Cricketer Ben Stokes Appears In Court Charged With Affray

Red ball cricket has its share of drama. From the start, this series was built up as Virat Kohli’s ultimate challenge. He overcame the hurdle by scoring a brilliant hundred in the first innings itself! Now, it's about India winning their seventh Test in England. They have only won 6 Test matches in 43 years there.

With Shami involved in a controversy before the tour and Ben Stokes missing the second Test due to his court case, there’s plenty of off-field drama already. A long Test series has scope for a lot more drama. Who can forget the jellybean incident in 2007? Such incidents keep popping up from time to time and pose different challenges.

#4 Management & Support Staff

England & India Net Sessions

The contribution of the coaches and support staff assumes greater importance in case of a long series. Cricket is as much a mental game as it is a physical game. The battle has to be won two times, first in the mind and then on the field.

From the analyst to the physiotherapist, everyone is in it together. The coaches and the support staff have to be on top of their game to help the players stay in the right frame of mind. They work behind the scenes so that the glamour boys can go out there and put up a good show.

#5 True Result

England vs India

The team that wins a long series truly deserves to be hailed as a champion. The entire squad has to cross several hurdles to emerge victorious.

A five-match Test series is played on different grounds with different conditions. Some pitches assist seam bowling, some favour spinners, some are bouncy whereas some are flat tracks. Players are tested in all possible ways in a long Test series and that is what makes it exciting.