The problems with Test cricket in Australia

[Bornadog]

Re: The problems with Test cricket in Australia

On area the public doesn't understand is the selection of players. There is lots of debate why players aren't included, why here are so many NSW players etc etc. I think CA has to be more transparent with their selections, and then some respectability will come their way and improve their reputation in the eyes of the public.

[GVGjr]

Re: The problems with Test cricket in Australia

On area the public doesn't understand is the selection of players. There is lots of debate why players aren't included, why here are so many NSW players etc etc. I think CA has to be more transparent with their selections, and then some respectability will come their way and improve their reputation in the eyes of the public.

I've heard about the bias towards players from NSW for years even when we had the likes of Merv Hughes as a selector.
They typically produce the best cricketers though and are a bit more ruthless in moving on players if they aren't good enough to play for both state and country.

Now the selectors are supposedly biased towards the Marsh brothers and while I scratch my head at these selections there just aren't a lot of players knocking the door down

Shield cricket needs to be the focus not Big Bash and T20 games. It's a shame the likes of Maxwell, Starc, Short and Carey aren't playing in the games so far.
We need to know if the likes of Marcus Harris can make big scores against a NSW bowling attack that has Starc and Lyon in it rather than 3 medium pacers and couple of young spin bowlers.

[GVGjr]

Re: The problems with Test cricket in Australia

A couple of months on from when this thread started how does test cricket rate with people? I get the impression that unless our form improves crowd attendence might start to dwindle. It will be interesting to see if the tests against Sri Lanka can attract a lot fans.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: The problems with Test cricket in Australia

A couple of months on from when this thread started how does test cricket rate with people? I get the impression that unless our form improves crowd attendence might start to dwindle. It will be interesting to see if the tests against Sri Lanka can attract a lot fans.

I am a diehard test cricket fan, and have been ever since the Windies of the early 80s captured my imagination. Australian cricket then was in a slump too. However this seems different.
I hate T20, and whilst its probably overly simplistic to lay the current state of test cricket solely at the feet of T20, i do feel it's played a big part.
From the money it generates, it forces administrators to favour it in acheduling arrangements. As such we see the current state, where no first class cricket is being played during a test series, right when we need to be evaluating possible candidates to step up to the test team.
T20 also seems to pervade batsmen and bowlers approach to the long form game. 20 years ago Mark Waugh was derided for a reverse sweep in a test. Now its not uncommon to see it played in test matches, not to mention other trick shots. More annoyingly many batsmen just don't seem to be able to bat according to the situation, and change tempo of their innings. The amount of record low scores from test teams in the padt 10 years is amazing. I reckon we've seen at least 3 sub 100 scores from Australia alone in that time. Prior to that i reckon there was maybe 2 in 20 years.

I'm not convinced most kids are coached in a way that aligns to long form cricket. I'm not even sure if kids aspire to play ling form cricket anymore.

I hope I am wrong, but I'm not sure that test cricket can thrive for much longer, even if there is a massive refocus from cricket administrators around the world. I think the horse has bolted and the lure of the instant gratification offered by T20 is too strong to be able to counter.

[Bornadog]

Re: The problems with Test cricket in Australia

I hope I am wrong, but I'm not sure that test cricket can thrive for much longer, even if there is a massive refocus from cricket administrators around the world. I think the horse has bolted and the lure of the instant gratification offered by T20 is too strong to be able to counter.

I think you are spot on with your assessment.

I went to the boxing day test and it front of us were three young boys, around 10 years old. To their credit they endured most of the days play, but if we dish up wickets like that, they won't be returning. You look at the crowd last night for the Melbourne Derby of BBL, 46,000 with lots of families and kids. The game is quick and over in a few hours and it is a fun night during the holidays. Hard to compete with that.

[jeemak]

Re: The problems with Test cricket in Australia

I think you are spot on with your assessment.

I went to the boxing day test and it front of us were three young boys, around 10 years old. To their credit they endured most of the days play, but if we dish up wickets like that, they won't be returning. You look at the crowd last night for the Melbourne Derby of BBL, 46,000 with lots of families and kids. The game is quick and over in a few hours and it is a fun night during the holidays. Hard to compete with that.

The best way to compete with it is to produce good test cricketers. If we start doing that again shortly, and as you say putting interesting conditions together the game will be fine.