Cricket 2000*

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So, at this point of time we can safely say that cricket itself is on “Nervous One Thousand Nine Hundred Nineties”.  If the Lord’s test is washed out with out a ball being bowled can we say that “nervous what ever has struck”??

None of us would like that to happen, because its not only the 2000^th test but also 100^th test between England and India. Though for me, battle between these two nations are less attractive these days then it'’s between India and Pakistan or India and Australia or the Ashes. If any thing what I believe is true then the hype created by both English and Indian media before this test is enough evidence.

What ever the hype may be but test cricket has really come of age. It is said that this format is under sever and consistent threat from the shortest version of the game. But at the same time if you see any cricketer interviewed by a TV channel or newspaper scribe confirms that he always love to play test cricket then the rest of the two formats of the game. Though in last one decade or more then a decade, especially after ‘Steve Waugh brand of cricket’ has emerged, tests have produced more results then draws. More interesting and fighting draws rather then dull ones.

Fans have almost forgotten that draw is also a result or an option which can give you satisfaction. The recent controversy about Dhoni, not taking chance to chase at Dominica is the best example of it. It wasn’t like this in past. As I said draw was also a result and an option. Sometimes it was also taken as a victory or defeat in disguise or a moral boosting result or having a psychological edge for remainder of the series. Teams like India, Sri Lanka or Pakistan, when they were not counted as “force”, could sigh a relief once they earn a draw, especially outside their home. Those were the days when batsmen like Gavaskar and Boycott could play for entire two days without any problem just to gain draw.

But things have changed. West Indies was once unbeatable side, but I don’t saw them encouraging others also to go for victory first and then go for a draw. But as I have mentioned it was Australia who attracted others like India, Pakistan, South Africa or even Sri Lanka to wear a “killing instinct”. It took a bit of time to poach the Kangaroos and their theory of ‘mantle disintegration’. But once India started the same against them at the start of the century slowly Aussies lost their position.

Days are gone now that only one team will lead the pack. It’s all about rankings now. Every captain, whether he agrees with the ranking system or not, tries hard to improve his side’s rank. The gap between first four is not that hard to gauge. Two bad series or good ones can change their fortunes dramatically. Plus the captain of the current No.1 team is not as ruthless as his past counterparts were. But at the same time we must admit that he is smart. He knows how to play with rankings and remain at the top for the longer period of time.

Future of the test cricket is not that bad as people are painting it. ICC is trying hard to have a day night test matches. Personally it is not my favorite subject. Because if a dull phase in a particular test match is going on, where a team is playing for a draw rather then winning it, will make the game look more dull in night atmosphere. But if it is successful then nothing like it.

Being from old school, I always prefer to see a test match rather then other two versions of the game. So this special occasion is really special for me, in fact a very tempting one. As an Indian I would love to see India winning this, but if we have an exiting test match and not a dull draw, then it will be an icing on the cake.

 Dessert Storm

Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, has suggested that the final of the inaugural World Test Championship, which will be held in England in 2013, could be a 'timeless' Test.