Quote:
Originally Posted by Stapel
Like you guys, I will take Test Cricket over T20 any day. But there is more into T20 then I had expected, before the first WC T20 was on.
-First of all, T20 Cricket is better than basketball, football, baseball, hockey or rugby. Don't get me started on swimming, track&field, speed skating, cycling or formula 1.....
-Some departments of cricket are actually better in T20. Some, or possibly many, fielding actions are unseen in Test Cricket. Spectacular boundary catches for instance. Or both successful and unsuccessful run-out opportunities. The pressure on batsmen to keep the scoreboard ticking over, really adds immensely to the number of opportunities fielders get to go for a run-out!
-Unlike my personal expectations of T20 since a couple of years, it has not turned out to be nothing but a dull slugfest. Some bowlers have actually been able to smother runs!
-It provides a more accessible platform for non-Test nations. It's too bad the WC T20 does not have 4 or 6 slots open for the Dutch, the Scotts, the Kenyans and the Namibians. IMHO, that would make more sense than having 4 associate members at the WC ODI......
Yet, I can't wait for the Tests in India and Aus to come soon!
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Absolutely. That's one of the key aspects with T20. You have to push the margins, that brings run-outs and outfielding right into the equation. Field quickly and you'll save the odd run here or there - which will often be crucial in such a short format. Likewise bowlers always have a chance because batsmen are pushing themselves to score quickly.
I don't think anyone should look to compare T20 and Test cricket. Give me T20 over an ODI any day. ODIs are so dependent on a pitch to produce a proper cricket game. ODIs where the bowlers are heavily reduced to a support act aren't good games of cricket, it happens in most ODIs - particularly the World Cup in India. Worse still are the pitches that are not only flat but the sort where the ball doesn't come on, so a mickey mouse bowler at 70-75mph is more effective than a good bowler at 90mph.
Ultimately T20 (and ODIs) means Test cricket can be afforded. People who are new to cricket don't usually skip straight to Tests, they're usually drawn in by shorter formats and then as they get deeper into the game they learn to appreciate Test cricket.