Interest in longer formats of cricket has waned

Editor: The One-Day International tri-nation encounters currently in progress at three Caribbean cricket venues are really test matches in miniature.

Apparently, interest in the conventional five or six-day cricket test matches between the West Indies and one of their international rivals has gradually waned and has lost its efficacy.{{more}}

West Indies spectators generally, in their despondency of the expected performances of their heroes, along with their scarce financial resources, have instinctively withdrawn themselves from the longer version of the game.

The 50-over format is a brilliant combination of exquisite, graceful batting techniques, along with a flurry of aggressive stroke play. Bowlers, on the other hand, would be faced with the responsibility and common sense in outwitting batsmen who could unleash a variety of strokes from their repertoire.

This 50-over encounter or mini test matches promise to arouse more future interest than the longer format of test cricket. Understandably, the major difference is in the case of traditional test cricket, both batsmen and bowlers have to concentrate for very long periods, and are more vulnerable to sustain injuries.

By contrast, West Indian cricketers competing in the mini test contest were unlikely to experience a heavy toll on the wear and tear of their bodies. It will take a while before the West Indies cricket team reacclimatize themselves to the longer version of cricket.

Patmos Richards