Test cricket is so boring?

‘Test cricket is dying,’ ‘Test cricket is boring’ are conceptions that is looming large in the minds of the modern generation of cricket lovers who are more prone towards cricket’s latest innovative sibling T20 cricket. No doubt that the addition of T20 cricket has given cricket a new dimension. But still, the kind of thrill and romance Test cricket provides the T20 format can’t even dare to match them.

Last week, at the Oval, the world witnessed an exhibition of power cricket by the South African batsmen and bowlers on the white and green canvas of Test cricket. Since the Proteas came back to the game after a frustrating first day they dominated over a lackluster English attack in such a manner that Test cricket can’t be coloured as some boring stuff by any means.

What haven’t we observed at the Oval? The victory of patience, the victory of artistry, the exhibition of sturdiness and cussedness, and the stupendous display of fast and hostile pace bowling on a track which was enough suitable for batting. It seemed that we were visiting in an art gallery where we were left spell bound by the astonishing paintings painted by the artists of Test cricket.

If you didn’t witness the Oval Test thinking that Test cricket is something boring then you missed something special, something unique. You have missed the epic battle between Graeme Smith and Graeme Swann.

Swann in the third morning was wagging his tail and with his teasing flights he strangled hold the Proteas captain. But the Proteas captain gave caution the upper hand – application, patience and perseverance was the order of the day and it bore fruits. Graeme Smith essayed one of the grittiest century of this summer amid much applauds.

You have missed the elegance of a bearded maestro who has claimed himself as one of the modern day greats.

The Artist, Hashim Amla, was all set to draw one of the finest paintings on the green canvas of Test cricket. He stood tall and strong, maintained superb balance to puncture the off-side field, especially, with wristy brush strokes that added enough charm and colour to his epic painting. It was a knock full of beautiful strokes with pristine timings originating from a footwork which is a paragon of defense – a rare thing in T20 format where go at anything is the main target with ugly innovations.

Then you missed one legend’s mastery with the bat.

‘Jack of all trade’ Kallis came in and added even more charm to Test match batting by triggering fascination of higher quality. He provided Amla the able support through out and unleashed some strokes of proven class through square off the wicket with astute timing – the flag of Test match batting was pattering with pride.

Smith, Kallis and Amla's batsmanship was built upon defense which helped them to adapt and then invited freedom to take place. This is what Test cricket allows – choice. In limited overs cricket, a batsman becomes a prisoner by limitations. They can’t have a choice to set themselves for something epic and thus artistry gets sacrificed.  

The Proteas batting display ended and then started the dance of the rocket scientists who rattled the English batting with intensity, hostility and aggression of divine quality. Steyn and Morkel swung the ball late and made the ball talk on a slower track which the English failed to deliver.

The English were made to feed some highest quality bowling of modern era that had the venom of a cobra and the pace of a leopard – you missed this astonishing display if you didn’t watch the Test match. T20 cricket simply restricts a bowler within a certain limitation – the bowlers can’t free their wings.

The Oval scripted a beautiful contrast essay. It seemed that a splash of sun set, the Proteas hostile fast bowling; fell on the beautiful blue sky, which is the Proteas elegant batting display, and created something uniquely romantic which a T20 format can only dream of. 

Is Test cricket boring? Is Test cricket dying? Well, I don’t think so. But Test cricket still has the thrill, the exciting appeal and the romance to enrich cricket again and again.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Besahara England at the Oval

When two best Test sides in the world battle for supremacy then you will certainly expect a mouthwatering contest. South Africa and England are the two most dangerous sides in Test cricket at present and before the Test series started they created enough hype of a thrilling and exciting contest.

My mind was focused on Oval and was dying to watch some daring attitude from both the sides. But sadly, I ended up watching one side’s total supremacy and the other’s timid surrender.

South Africa, since the second day of the Test match till the final day, dominated in total command to leave the English plenty to ponder for the second Test match. In one of the most scintillating display of power cricket, South Africa nailed England with gritty batting and then broke their backbone with venomous fast bowling.

England were digested an innings defeat.

England did dominate on day 1 and when the Proteas bowlers came back with a bang on day 2, I was happy thinking that an exciting Test match is coming up. But it was not to be. For two days the world witnessed a fine exhibition of sturdiness, grit, perseverance and artistry of Smith, Amla and Kallis and the venomous pace bowling of Steyn and Morkel which simply drowned England.

Oval offered a one sided contest which was not supposed to be. To essay a gritting contest both the teams must show the same kind of intention and attitude to make the contest simmering.

Where was England? Why they failed to live up to their reputation? Why did they fail miserably?

There were reasons behind this flop show.

Poor display by the English bowlers:

The Oval track was flat earlier and in course of time it got slow and low. A fast bowler needs to show intensity, hostility and aggression to crack down a batsman’s grit on such tracks. The English bowlers lacked the intensity to pitch the ball up to the batsmen and bowl on a fullish length; they lacked the aggression to generate a consistent pace and the hostility to put shiver down the batsmen’s spine – Anderson, Broad and Bresnan were impotent. You can’t blame the track as on the same track Steyn and Morkel were instrumental.

Again, the track was tailor made for Swann to execute his guiles. But to the surprise of all he proved a total flop – a lot of off-spin without a doosra. As Mark Nicholas pointed out, “On slow pitches the doosra is the trump card simply because the batsmen cannot play back so safely. The doosra is the unknown: it is the fear of the unknown.”

I just feel the addition of Monty Panesar could have given the English attack some added variety given the fact that the Proteas aren’t good against spin and the track was on the slower side. A spin duet of left and arm combination might have proved fruitful. 

Absence of a Paul Collingwood at slip, gully and backward point:

Over the years the English have squandered plenty of chances at slip, gully and backward point positions. In the past such positions were guarded by Paul Collingwood and for which dangerous partnerships were broken most often by some athletic fielding display. On the second day Andrew Strauss dropped Hashim Amla while fielding at slip and in the end it proved too costly.

Poor batting temperament:

Resistance was the order of the day when England came out to bat in the second innings. But in turn they kept on losing wickets after wickets. Other than Ian Bell none of the batting stalwarts exhibited the kind of grit and perseverance shown by Amla, Smith and Kallis. Steyn and Morkel were sharp and pacy but while batting for the number 1 Test side in the world you should apply application rather than poor temperament.

No doubt the Proteas had dished out a master class to rattle the English, but it looked even more dazzling due to lack of bite in England’s performance. I am hurt as a cricket fan as I was expecting a simmering contest. This defeat hurt not only me but all Test cricket lovers because England were too dismal and they have denied us from a classic contest, they have denied us from ‘The Clash Of The Titans."


Thank You
Faisal Caesar

Boy, what a last week it was in world cricket!

Returning home after a hectic hospital duty, other than doing studies, I relax my mind by watching cricket or giving opinion pieces on the website I work for. Cricket gives me pleasure and relieves my stress. But the last week wasn’t a stress reliever. Leaving few, many things in cricket didn’t impress me at all.

Poor advertisement by Mahela Jayawardene:

After a heroic show by Asad Shafiq and injured Adnan  Akmal, Pakistan gave Sri Lanka a target of 270 runs to chase within 71 overs on the final day of the third Test at Pallekele. The track was flat and the Sri Lankan batsmen gave an inspiring reply while chasing. With Sangakkara in full swing, Sri Lanka needed 76 runs from nine overs to register a win. But in utter disbelief of all Mahela Jayawardene aborted the chase and halted a fascinating finish. I didn’t expect such sort of act from such a dynamic personality like Mahela Jayawardene.

The target wasn’t unattainable by any means on a track that was as flat as a pancake. In my opinion it had been a poor advertisement of Test cricket by Sri Lanka. When the future of Test cricket is at stake then such a move simply indicates how reluctant the players are to give their best shot in Test cricket. I guess erasing the Murali-hangover was more important than winning a match. Mahela, you lost it even after winning the series.   

Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, those two Pakistani pals of mine:

Who is after Javed Miandad? Who is after Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saeed Anwar? Who is after Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq? Well, you have Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq. In the Test series against Sri Lanka these two Pakistani young guns fought like gladiators. In the moments of crisis these two batsmen gave their best shot to lift Pakistan’s spirit. Azhar is an elegant willow artist while Asad is all about guts and confidence. Mind you, both these batsmen have a sound technique and a tough temperament. In times to come the world will see them grow as iconic figures. But my fear is with the mysterious world of Pakistan cricket. Can they preserve these two gems?

The name of the sparkle is Junaid Khan:

The ball that jagged back in and disturbed Sangakkara’s timber was an exhibition of superb fast bowling and the fats bowler was a Pakistani bloke, Junaid Khan. In terms of talent he’s nowhere near Mohammad Amir but has the dash and exuberance to carry on the legacy of his ancestors with utmost pride. Junaid Khan has been a revolution for Pakistan in the recently concluded Test series Pakistan. He can generate pace and like his past masters he is an exponent of late and reverse-swing. Junaid Khan is here to stay and dazzle the cricket world.

I am frustrated as a Pakistani cricket fan:

The series defeats against Sri Lanka had been frustrating for a die hard Pakistani fan like me. Pakistan’s tremendous run in Test cricket for the last one year has been halted. To get back in rhythm isn’t an easy task and losing the gained momentum is another frustrating thing. Pakistan gained an amazing momentum Test cricket after a horrendous tour to England in 2010. But it has been lost in Sri Lanka.

Since the Test series against England this year I am missing the harmonious tune in team Pakistan. I guess Dave Whatmore isn’t making an ideal blend which Mohsin and Waqar once did. In my opinion, nothing better than a local coach and in case of Pakistan it’s very important. Pakistan’s major successes in world cricket have always come under a local coach. Sadly, Pakistan’s board doesn’t realize this.

If you serve the country, you’ll serve the God also:

Zimbabwe’s wicketkeeper-batsman, Tatenda Taibu, last week announced his retirement from international cricket because he felt his true calling now lied in doing the Lord’s work. Good thinking but he should realize that serving the country is also equal to serving the Lord. With the T20 World Cup knocking at the door such sort of decision isn’t encouraging at all.

Oh no! Boucher:

In a tour match against Somerset South African ace wicketkeeper Mark Boucher injured his eye. While wicketkeeping a bail hit Boucher’s left eye and forced him to retired hurt and later on the severity of the injury forced him to announce his retirement from international cricket. I was speechless.

I am privileged to watch him grow as a stature. For the last 14 years, he has been a true warrior for South Africa, a warrior who gave everything for his country and asked nothing. He was undoubtedly one of the finest assets for world cricket. Like me, many weren’t ready for such a tragic exit. I was expecting a heroic retirement. Certainly an exit to make one’s eyes full of tears. His retirement made certain emptiness in world cricket which can’t be filled easily.

Goodbye Brett Lee:

It’s one of those nasty injuries that let the Australian blond-haired dashing fast bowler Brett Lee to say goodbye to international cricket. With Brett Lee, I don’t have any thrilling and exciting moments. He was a good fast bowler but couldn’t generate tremendous thrill and chill like Shoaib Akhtar. As a fast bowler, in my book Shoaib Akhtar will always be ahead of Brett Lee.

But Lee carried on the legacy of fast bowling alongside Shoaib in an era where the batsmen ruled more. In that sense he demands respect as many in that era shun fast bowling and concentrated more on line and length type bowling. He had been a true servant for Australian cricket. Goodbye Brett Lee.

Does the West Indies realize their potentials?

The West Indians have registered an ODI series win over a Test nation, other than Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, since April 2008. With the inclusion of Gayle the team has gained a different dimension and looks a better outfit than ever. Men like Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine are gritty customers in limited-overs cricket and for which the West Indies can be regarded as one of the most dangerous side in the upcoming T20 world cup.

But does the West Indies realize their true potentials? Do they realize that they bear a favorite tag? Realizing one’s potential and then utilizing it the right way is very important in reaching the pinnacle of glory. The West Indians’ true success depends on realizing their potentials and its proper utilization. At the moment they are looking good but how they maintain this rhythm will be matter to watch out for.

So an eventful week for cricket came to an end – a week which saw the retirement of legendary cricketers in a rather upsetting manner, a week which observed a frustrating response from a dynamic captain, a week which saw the derailment of a team’s fine run in Test cricket, but leaving these less encouraging affairs the last week also observed the emergence of new talents and the potentials of a team which has the fire power to reach the top if they use their talents in the right way.