Times are a-changing for Test cricket

I have read and listened with great worry over the last two months at the threat which Test cricket is perceivably under — made even more flamboyant by a media contingent keen to increase the content in their publications, on the Twitter pages and on their radio shows. I do see some level of threat but I do not see the complete extinction of Test cricket upon us.

I will say that a two-Test tour of South Africa by Australia does nothing for the cause of Test cricket and quite frankly I see no reason or excuse for this — a minimum of three tests should be standard on any tour. If you want to play pyjama cricket for 20 overs and then some 50-over stuff make more games of those but to take away from Tests is inexcusable and fuels this extinction fire making its way around at the moment.

But look at the standard of Test cricket lately, it’s exciting and dynamic — of recent times we have seen England strangely assume the mantle of number-one Test team in the world. The stats don’t lie is what I am continuously told at my puzzling response to this, but the English just beat India in England and a great series. The same India is playing some really good cricket back home against a well-structured (when they decide to be) West Indies cricket team.

Lest I remind you all of the Newlands Test match between Australia and South Africa where SA was bowled out for 98 and Australia sensationally dismissed for 47 — got a result there and then a great display of Test cricket again at Bidvest Wanderers for Australia to come back and equal the series. Imagine a third Test at SuperSport Park, mouth-watering prospect to say the least.

It does pain me to say it but what the administrators should be seeing is that T20 is adding excitement at all levels of the game, even Test cricket but this does not mean that the discussion of removing Test cricket from the landscape of world cricket should even be contemplated. The ICC must come out immediately and put to rest all these horrific discussions and make clear to the world that Test cricket is very much of the game and the future of cricket — end of story.

But adding to the fire now is the very concerning nine-match tour of the highly respected British and Irish Lions team to Australia in 2013. First time ever a tour of the Lions is in the single figures. Their last outing to South Africa and New Zealand before that showed record followings in the sale of replica jerseys and apparel, matches were sold out, why decrease the matches? Why cheapen the amazing and vaunted history which is the British and Irish Lions. It is in 2013 the hosts should put all their resources into hosting this amazing group and spreading the global message of the game.

The first time South Africa got a taste of the Lions was in 1910 and their touring method means we only get to see them every 12 years, an amazing thing for the spectator but imagine a player? Being in that generation where you get to play them. None of the current Springbok players will get to the play the Lions. The greatest thing about the long tours was the “tests” between the Tests, the big club games — once again diluted, pathetically I feel. In 1997 South Africa hosted 13 matches where the game got to remote parts of the country creating a national following and vibe. In 2009 something in the region of 40 000 spectators flowed to South Africa to support their team.

Why this need for less when we happy to extend the Tri-Nations to the poorly re-named Rugby Championship, playing two Tests on one day. Where the Super 10 is now the Super 15 — more and more and yet for history, for purity we doing less and less — mind boggling to me.

I am worried that the pandemic of money talking and the immature demand for immediate results in as short a time possible is going to play a scary role and the only way I see it changing is if administrators of these games take their heads out of their ***** and create a proper balance between tradition, prestige and money. Messing around with Test cricket or the British and Irish Lions rugby tour is sacrilegious, almost blasphemy from a sporting perspective, ludicrous I say absolutely ludicrous.

I truly hope my sentiment is misplaced and that such an article has to never be penned (typed) in finality of such splendours in sport.

Long live Test Cricket and the British and Irish Lions