Girdhar Gopal posted Re:Twenty20 = Cheap liquor on 5 mnths ago
These are different games: Test cricket is really the dinosaur that we all love. But, the world at large does not have a patience for a game that lasts 5 days. So if we wish to get a game that finishes while modern interests last, than 20/20 cricket is the route to do that. The shortest form of cricket has to develop, gets its own heroes and history: it will take time and will be imbued with the same kind of romance as the long game. When that happens, the game will come into its own. If it does not succeed, it will die.
Girdhar
Recycled Soul posted Re:Twenty20 = Cheap liquor on 5 mnths ago
Cricket Purists will find it hard to accept change..just like most old people do... they would rather stick with the regular norms or age old tradition than accept & believe in the amalgamation of the old & the new.
I would want Purist of cricket to also see the threat of International sports like NBA(Basket Ball) & NFL (American Football) coming in into Asia rather than just blindly criticising the futuristic plans of ICC & BCCI by promoting Twenty20 cricket. Likewise even ICC knows that Asia is their biggest market for cricket... thats why you see ICC promoting cricket in China & trying to push it into Olympics.
NBA, NFL trying to get into the Asian Market.....India is their next biggest target going by the population. If they can convert a huge percentage of that population toward NBA, NFL games... games like Cricket, Hockey are gonna be big time losers & it is more important for India to keep their own favorite sports alive. International Hockey Federation was late & had a laid back approach & was negleting countries like India & now the country which invented Hockey hasnt even made it tot the Olympics. But lately they have realised their mistake & understand that loosing India means losing a huge crowd & viewership, thats why they are making desperate attempts to revive hockey in India by sending in some of the world's best hockey consultants to coach & guide India. Fortunately ICC has been smart & proactive in taking some futuristics steps towards keeping cricket alive in Asia.
One also...has to accept & respect that times have changed.... previously people had the time to sacrifice & watch hours of cricket.. & there were few other forms of entertainment.... With TV , Movies, Malls, Multiplexes, recreational, adventure sports & other activities ..not forgetting the busy & tiring & time consuming education process, too much work hours, lack of vacations & leaves..& excess travel time in cities..one is left with less time for themselves to indulge in a few hours of entertainment . Thats where these short formats of cricket helps. It is perfectly bundled into a 4 hours entertainment package..just like the families do right now.... when they visit a multiplex or go shopping for a few hours.
Yes, this format might affect Test cricket & ODI matches in the near future..but then survival of the game of cricket is a must. & as long as the game survives , even if it means the shortest format, then so be it. If ICC, BCCI & other cricket board are disciplined enough & ensure that some test matches & ODI matches continued to be played in every calendar year alongside twenty20 matches , that would indeed be a great achievement. It is important how ICC , BCCI & otehr cricket baord handles this change while also keeping the purist game of cricket alive.
muchocricket posted Re:Twenty20 = Cheap liquor on 5 mnths ago
If they keep preparing the rubbsih pitches like they've been doing lately, yes test cricket will die pretty soon. I am very much convinced that it's been BCCI's mission. It's evident in the last 3 test matches played in India. India scored 600+ runs in the 1st innings of each of those encounters and the visiting teams scored 500+
Recycled Soul posted Re:Twenty20 = Cheap liquor on 5 mnths ago
This hunger for results from every match is what is responsible for the invention of the ODI & now the twenty20 Game formats.
Gone are the days when even drawn matches were viewed with so much interests..& people enjoy every stroke played & every ball bowled, whatever the result.
Yes, pitches will make a difference to the quality of Test cricket. I dont think it is right for the Asian countries dont really have to adapt & change to make their cricket pitches matching upto English, Australian standards... instead let it continue to be the old subcontinent pitches which favours your local team (make them all spin friendly ) & let the visitors struggle it out, just like the asian teams would do when they go to English, Australia or Caribbean conditions. Infact standardising & making all pitches the same would harm Test cricket as it would become too monotonous. Infact ..trying to alter the pitches has harmed India & also the game a lot... they have almost killed the aura of Spin bowling & spinners.
Girdhar
I would want Purist of cricket to also see the threat of International sports like NBA(Basket Ball) & NFL (American Football) coming in into Asia rather than just blindly criticising the futuristic plans of ICC & BCCI by promoting Twenty20 cricket. Likewise even ICC knows that Asia is their biggest market for cricket... thats why you see ICC promoting cricket in China & trying to push it into Olympics.
NBA, NFL trying to get into the Asian Market.....India is their next biggest target going by the population. If they can convert a huge percentage of that population toward NBA, NFL games... games like Cricket, Hockey are gonna be big time losers & it is more important for India to keep their own favorite sports alive. International Hockey Federation was late & had a laid back approach & was negleting countries like India & now the country which invented Hockey hasnt even made it tot the Olympics. But lately they have realised their mistake & understand that loosing India means losing a huge crowd & viewership, thats why they are making desperate attempts to revive hockey in India by sending in some of the world's best hockey consultants to coach & guide India. Fortunately ICC has been smart & proactive in taking some futuristics steps towards keeping cricket alive in Asia.
One also...has to accept & respect that times have changed.... previously people had the time to sacrifice & watch hours of cricket.. & there were few other forms of entertainment.... With TV , Movies, Malls, Multiplexes, recreational, adventure sports & other activities ..not forgetting the busy & tiring & time consuming education process, too much work hours, lack of vacations & leaves..& excess travel time in cities..one is left with less time for themselves to indulge in a few hours of entertainment . Thats where these short formats of cricket helps. It is perfectly bundled into a 4 hours entertainment package..just like the families do right now.... when they visit a multiplex or go shopping for a few hours.
Yes, this format might affect Test cricket & ODI matches in the near future..but then survival of the game of cricket is a must. & as long as the game survives , even if it means the shortest format, then so be it. If ICC, BCCI & other cricket board are disciplined enough & ensure that some test matches & ODI matches continued to be played in every calendar year alongside twenty20 matches , that would indeed be a great achievement. It is important how ICC , BCCI & otehr cricket baord handles this change while also keeping the purist game of cricket alive.
This hunger for results from every match is what is responsible for the invention of the ODI & now the twenty20 Game formats.
Gone are the days when even drawn matches were viewed with so much interests..& people enjoy every stroke played & every ball bowled, whatever the result.
Yes, pitches will make a difference to the quality of Test cricket. I dont think it is right for the Asian countries dont really have to adapt & change to make their cricket pitches matching upto English, Australian standards... instead let it continue to be the old subcontinent pitches which favours your local team (make them all spin friendly ) & let the visitors struggle it out, just like the asian teams would do when they go to English, Australia or Caribbean conditions. Infact standardising & making all pitches the same would harm Test cricket as it would become too monotonous. Infact ..trying to alter the pitches has harmed India & also the game a lot... they have almost killed the aura of Spin bowling & spinners.