How we can make Test Cricket more exciting

Fri, Jul 25, 2014

Editor: I felt obliged to write this article after reading an article in which Curtly Ambrose gave some suggestions as to how the ICC can bring back excitement to Test Cricket. Suggestion: There could be Test matches in One Day International style. Example – West Indies versus Australia. West Indies bat first, 50 overs.{{more}} (first innings) They score 275 runs Australia bat 50 overs(first innings), they score 250 runs; thus having a deficit of 25 runs. The following day West Indies bat another 50 overs as the second innings. They score 265 runs. Hence, Australia must now score 291 runs to win the match in their second innings of 50 overs. (265+25 plus 1 run). If Australia had batted first, scoring the 250 runs, then West Indies scoring the 275 runs after, then Australia must first wipe off the deficit of 25 runs in their second innings of 50 overs before scoring runs for the West Indies to make in their second innings to win. If Australia made 280 runs in their second innings, then West Indies must make 256 runs to win, (280-25 plus 1 run). Thus, with modified test matches lasting only two days, more excitement can be brought to the game of Test Cricket. Likely there will be more spectators. I personally think this is a good idea. It’s up to the ICC though to follow through on this.

JPJ