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Reasons why test cricket > Twenty20

AlanJLegend

U19 Vice-Captain
Recently I've had a couple of discussions with friends about the Pros/cons of T20 cricket and how it compares to test cricket. The most common argument I hear in favour of T20 is that "it is exciting to watch" due to the amount of boundaries hit.

So basically, I would be interested to compile a list of reasons why tests are not just better, but more 'exciting' than Twenty20 cricket.


1. Tests provide more 'memorable moments'. I will never forget Clarke's bowling in Sydney, nor Smith's heroics the year after. These are just a couple of examples from an Australian point of view in recent years. What is the most exciting thing ever to happen in a T20 international? Warner's debut? Gayle scoring a century?

2. You don't get exciting 'battles' between a batsman and a bowler in T20. The longest it can possibly last is 4 overs, and by that point the batsman will have likely gotten out slogging anyway.

3. The recent drawn test between England and South Africa was one of the most exciting endings I have seen. Do you see epic match saving innings' such as those of Collingwood and Bell in T20 cricket? No.

4. Test cricket contains a LOT of strategy. Not saying T20 does not involve strategy or it would easy to be a captain, but one does not have to consider when to declare (in regards to setting a chaseable total and taking weather and light into account), pitch conditions and other such factors.

5. Test cricket is not just a test of skill and strategy but endurance as well. You have to admire a batsman who can spend all day in the middle. Batting for 20 minutes and hitting half a dozen sixes may involve skill, but certainly not the same levels of fitness and mental temprement.


I'm sure this list could go on forever.
 

shivfan

Banned
Does it matter?
8-)
They are two different forms of the game, and they appeal to different audiences....

Do footy fans spend time discussing why 11-a-side football is better than six-a-side?
 

slowfinger

International Debutant
It matters. Football whether 6 a side or 11 a side would not affect an induviduals performance and they would still have to maintain the same fitness and discipline where as T20 really gives a person to disobey all rules of cricket to freely slog and if you follow it too carefully you won't be able to play test for too long.
 

Richard

Cricket Web Staff Member
Does it matter?
8-)
They are two different forms of the game, and they appeal to different audiences....

Do footy fans spend time discussing why 11-a-side football is better than six-a-side?
To some extent I agree with this - it's getting rather tiresome to have people coming on here and posting about how Tests are > Twenty20. Really pretty pointless preaching to the choir - and especially annoying to have repeat threads about the same thing.

That said, I'd put it as Test cricket is the game, Twenty20 is something that is useful to the game for bringing in finances, but is overwhelmingly cricket for people who don't really like cricket. They appeal to different audiences because they're frankly different games. Yes, they're both played with bats, balls and stumps but one is about scoring as quickly as you can, the other is (ideally) about a contest between bat and ball. That's what the "core" audiences of both want to see.
 

silentstriker

The Wheel is Forever
Does there need to be a list for something as obvious as this? :p

This is the right site to come to though for such a list.
 

Arjun

Cricketer Of The Year
Let's not forget, T20 has its own set of skills which don't come forth in Test cricket- rather than pure skills, it also tests the players physical abilities, and in a way, tactical skills as well. There are some aspects which are handled best by T20 specialists, which some who are better suited for Tests cannot achieve. It's an extreme version of the game, and should be left for those who can handle it.

These days, however, Test players are doing rather well in this form of the game, while the T20 specialists have been found wanting even in their own act. That tilts the balance slightly in favour of Test cricket.
 

Uppercut

Request Your Custom Title Now!
It's getting rather tiresome indeed. Although I like T20 I prefer tests by a very, very big margin, but nearly all of the criticisms of T20 are dubious at best and usually don't even make any sense.
 

silentstriker

The Wheel is Forever
These days, however, Test players are doing rather well in this form of the game, while the T20 specialists have been found wanting even in their own act. That tilts the balance slightly in favour of Test cricket.
Sort of like how Bradman was a slightly better batsman than me.
 

The_roc

U19 Captain
I'll always be a test fan.

The shorter the form of the game the easier it is for average players with suspect techniques to get away with it. Test matches will always find them out.
 

G.I.Joe

International Coach
It's getting rather tiresome indeed. Although I like T20 I prefer tests by a very, very big margin, but nearly all of the criticisms of T20 are dubious at best and usually don't even make any sense.
Haha, yeah. Personally for me, its getting to the point where the Test snobs are more annoying than T20 fanbois.
 

Eds

International Debutant
Number 3 is the real reason I'll take a Test match over a Twenty20 anyday. Collingwood's innings was far far more entertaining that an 85 ball century from Chris Gayle playing one handed slogs, IMO.
 

silentstriker

The Wheel is Forever
What does a 'Test snob' mean anyway? The fact that some of us only enjoy Tests and don't like T20 and ODI? Where is it written we must enjoy every sport? I consider Tests, ODIs, and T20s three separate sports, and I personally prefer one of them.

I don't like golf either but like the NFL, that doesn't make me an 'NFL snob'.
 

G.I.Joe

International Coach
What does a 'Test snob' mean anyway? The fact that some of us only enjoy Tests and don't like T20 and ODI? Where is it written we must enjoy every sport? I consider Tests, ODIs, and T20s three separate sports, and I personally prefer one of them.

I don't like golf either but like the NFL, that doesn't make me an 'NFL snob'.
Well, do you see threads by people claiming how T20's are so much better than Tests?
 

silentstriker

The Wheel is Forever
Well, do you see threads by people claiming how T20's are so much better than Tests?
Because very few if any people actually think that on this site. And obviously since T20 is the fan favorite at this stage, much of it taking place at the expense of Tests, you'd expect threads like that.
 

G.I.Joe

International Coach
Because very few if any people actually think that on this site. And obviously since T20 is the fan favorite at this stage, much of it taking place at the expense of Tests, you'd expect threads like that.
How is it taking place at the expense of tests? Has the frequency of tests played dropped since T20 arrived (genuine question)? Is the proliferation of T20 cricket preventing test fans from watching test cricket at the ground or on the television?
 

GIMH

Norwood's on Fire
What does a 'Test snob' mean anyway? The fact that some of us only enjoy Tests and don't like T20 and ODI? Where is it written we must enjoy every sport? I consider Tests, ODIs, and T20s three separate sports, and I personally prefer one of them.

I don't like golf either but like the NFL, that doesn't make me an 'NFL snob'.
No, it's nothing to do with what you like but the way some people who prefer Tests view those that prefer the shorter games
 

Top_Cat

Request Your Custom Title Now!
Haha, yeah. Personally for me, its getting to the point where the Test snobs are more annoying than T20 fanbois.
Always has been the case with Test fans vs fans of LOI's. It's not people who have a preference (like SS), it's those who just rag on the other form of the game as if Tests are objectively better when, really, it's just about what you personally like.

I love both, get different things from the both forms of the game.
 

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