Test Cricket: A Victim of Mediocrity

It all started with England and Australia playing the first ever Test match in 1877 at Melbourne. A century later, as the two teams are fighting out for the very prestigious 'Urn' in the ongoing Ashes series, something is wrong.

Do we have enough time before the purest form of the game dies a sad death? We do not.

Empty stadiums are a vindication of the sorry state the longest format of the game is in at the moment.The anxiety felt at the close of a day's play has its own charm, with us debating as to which team would be walking in with an upper hand into the next day's play. Now, that is a thing of the past.

The reason for which lies in the fact that mediocrity can very well be damaging in the long run.

In this case, the mediocrity that has been gradually damaging Test cricket initiates from the lethargy of cricketing boards towards the longer format which in turn translates into the daylight difference in skill sets between top sides and lower ranked sides.

We are hardly witnessing any high-quality Test cricket. That is because the lower ranked sides are not having the arsenal to compete with the top sides. Thus, it is a mismatch resulting in a lesser challenging and lower quality Test cricket scenario.

Therefore, for the on-field performance to improve it is crucial that budding Test cricketers are encouraged and motivated to excel in the longest format of the game. There is a need for better rewards for performances in Test cricket. If there is motivation there would be an effort to improve techniques and skills as far as Test cricket is concerned.

On the other hand, why has the off-field performance of the strongest cricketing boards been mediocre too? Well, we might have to put that down to the harsh fact that Test cricket is considered to be a lesser revenue generating machine than other formats.

Ideally, should you not be investing brains and finances into an entity first in order to reap positive returns? I believe so.

The prerogative of the cricketing boards currently is more towards commercializing and profiting from the sport than anything else. Thus neglecting the longest format which doesn't exactly fall into the boat of financial interests.

Thus, the mediocrity.

T20s shouldn't be blamed

T20s are often blamed for the sorry state of Tests

Most people who hold similar opinions on the current state of Test cricket are strong retractors of T20 cricket. However, T20s shouldn't be blamed for the gloomy standing of the Test format today.

Rather, the shortest format has instilled much-needed innovation and zest to modern day Test cricket. It has been one of the catalysts in ensuring that test cricket stays afloat. So, making T20 a scapegoat is out of the question now.

One wonders if the antagonist in this entire scenario is the high number of inconsequential bilateral series being played between teams.

We see Test matches ending inside 3 days. Let's not mistake ourselves to believe that the superiority of one team over the other is the reason for it. Instead, it is the over inclination of playing conditions towards the home side.

The home team should still have a bit of an edge. However, drastically doctored pitches, which might help one team win, is damaging the spirit of the entire game. The playing conditions should suit the home side but that should be more organic than being forced.

A team inflicting a whitewash on its opponent in their own den and then the very same team is defeated badly away from home. It does raise a question.

Is there actually a strong Test team in the world currently?

Need more meaningful contests

However, another major root cause of diminishing attraction towards Test cricket lies solely in the fact that there is very little at stake for teams playing Test matches.

There needs to be a method to this madness. Every series has to have some context to it. Try cutting down the oversupply of Test cricket. A Test championship might be one of the answers. But a lot more needs to be done to revisit the time when Tests enthralled the audience.

There needs to be an aura surrounding Test cricket. Every series has to be anticipated with curiosity. The longest format of the game has great potential to contribute immensely to the growth of the sport.

Test cricket should not be an ordeal for 5 days. Instead, it has to be a sporting journey that involves two teams, each trying to outperform the other with every passing session of play. Eventually, with one coming out victorious.

Test Cricket has to be a real 'test' of abilities, temperament, and determination.

Mediocrity won't help. Working towards excellence is paramount. That is what is required to breathe life into red ball cricket yet again.