Boyc wants 4-day tests

[Pratters]

The Telegraph (Calcutta) reports shocking attendance numbers at Eden for day 1 of a test.

We couldn't have imagined such numbers even 5 years ago when the stadium used to be packed on literally all days of tests. They have mentioned that this is the poorest turn out in an Eden test.

 

[silentstriker]

It's quite refreshing that Boycs hasn't fallen victim to the "things were better in my day" mentality that afflicts so many ex-pros of a certain age, but I wouldn't be in favour myself.

I don't like the idea of day/night tests either. I've no objection to grounds having floodlights to assist the natural light, as play lost to bad light is one of the most annoying things about cricket, but I think test cricket should be played in daylight with a red ball. It's the gold-standard of the sport and (up here at least) remains very popular.

I think keeping it five days is a more important thing than the color of the ball, especially if changing that color will be of any help to the sport to become more popular again. It doesn't change the sport in any major way, and might be a way to increase attendance. I don't see those things as a bad thing. It'll never be as popular as ODI/T20, but you still have to do what you can without losing the essense of the sport.

 

[silentstriker]

The Telegraph (Calcutta) reports shocking attendance numbers at Eden for day 1 of a test.

We couldn't have imagined such numbers even 5 years ago when the stadium used to be packed on literally all days of tests.

Yup. And this is ****ing Eden Gardens, the home of cricket in India, not some trashcan in Vadodara.

And to make it worse, this is India-Pakistan at Eden Gardens. The state of the game in places where it really matters is quite dire, and ICC should focus on doing something about this instead of whatever follies they are currently engaged in.

 

[Fiery]

Yup. And this is ****ing Eden Gardens, the home of cricket in India, not some trashcan in Vadodara.

And to make it worse, this is India-Pakistan at Eden Gardens. The state of the game in places where it really matters is quite dire, and ICC should focus on doing something about this instead of whatever follies they are currently engaged in.

Is it ticket pricing?

 

[Pratters]

Is it ticket pricing?

No. There are tickets in all denominations at the Eden and people can go for cheap prices too. The cheaper stands (the ones parallel to the pitch) were fairly empty as well yesterday. It was Friday and people don't have the time to go to tests on weekdays any more. I am sure that we will have a better crowd today with packed capacity on Sunday which illustrates that the demand is there but the week day 'day' is impractical for people to watch tests, whether in the ground or on TV. I expect the crowd to be fairly sparse on Monday and Tuesday too if the game isn't a close one or India isn't batting.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Is it ticket pricing?

Would suggest economic growth leading to people having steady work and TVs at home.

 

[Fiery]

No. There are tickets in all denominations at the Eden and people can go for cheap prices too. The cheaper stands (the ones parallel to the pitch) were fairly empty as well yesterday. It was Friday and people don't have the time to go to tests on weekdays any more. I am sure that we will have a better crowd today with packed capacity on Sunday which illustrates that the demand is there but the week day 'day' is impractical for people to watch tests, whether in the ground or on TV. I expect the crowd to be fairly sparse on Monday and Tuesday too if the game isn't a close one or India isn't batting.

Are Indians are a bit like kiwi's in that a test match is best viewed on the telly?

 

[FRAZ]

'The pace of life has changed'

Boycott suggests four-day floodlit Tests

The pace of his pace-maker has slowed down so much that his brain is not getting enough oxygenated blood . Sick and tired in the first place of this whole cricket world and BS changes . First this 20/20 and now the so called experts are suggesting such a non sense BS !!!!

 

[Pratters]

Are Indians are a bit like kiwi's in that a test match is best viewed on the telly?

No. Cricket is religion. This means that people want to watch the gods live in the grounds if they get the chance. This is why you find the stadiums packed for even tests in India. I would have gone to the Eden despite having a TV at home for instance if I could have yesterday but because I was busy with work, couldn't.

This also shows a decline in the real demand for cricket in India to an extent mind. It was an inelastic demand and people would go to watch cricket no matter what earlier. Now, people get cricket almost every day on TV and even people who can help it, may not want to bunk work.

Obviously, it means that the product (test cricket) has to adopt to the market scenario. Would hate to see test matches going on in empty or near empty stands (though I can't imagine that would ever happen). Then again, I could not have imagined Eden having so many empty seats for a test not that long back.

 

[FRAZ]

No. Cricket is religion. This means that people want to watch the gods live in the grounds if they get the chance. This is why you find the stadiums packed for even tests in India..

tbh I really really like this and I gotta thank the Indian crowd for this tbh unlike these Pakistanis and bunch of other countries .

 

[Pratters]

tbh I really really like this and I gotta thank the Indian crowd for this tbh unlike these Pakistanis and bunch of other countries .

Yeah mate, I am always surprised to see empty stands in tests in Pakistan.

 

[FRAZ]

Yeah mate, I am always surprised to see empty stands in tests in Pakistan.

Love to see the packed grounds in India. Cuz Police there manages it well . There are two classes in Pakistan
1. Decent people who wanna sit at home and watch the game on tv along with their families
2. Bunch of Madrassa orphans who wanna go to the grounds and spoil the fun of the decent families sitting in the grounds .

 

[Richard]

It's quite refreshing that Boycs hasn't fallen victim to the "things were better in my day" mentality that afflicts so many ex-pros of a certain age, but I wouldn't be in favour myself.

I don't like the idea of day/night tests either. I've no objection to grounds having floodlights to assist the natural light, as play lost to bad light is one of the most annoying things about cricket, but I think test cricket should be played in daylight with a red ball. It's the gold-standard of the sport and (up here at least) remains very popular.

So leave it as it is in this country - no need to change it at all. What's more, no possibility to currently even if it were to be desireable.

And change it in the places that it needs to be changed, due to the fact that it's no longer as popular as you'd hope for it to be.

 

[Pratters]

Love to see the packed grounds in India. Cuz Police there manages it well . There are two classes in Pakistan
1. Decent people who wanna sit at home and watch the game on tv along with their families
2. Bunch of Madrassa orphans who wanna go to the grounds and spoil the fun of the decent families sitting in the grounds .

Nothing wrong with the poor going to grounds but I know what you mean. I remember Ramiz Raja was commentating in a test match between Pakistan and South Africa in Pakistan in the late 90s... He saw a few young kids and said 'youngsters have come to watch the match'. Next thing you know, the are focussed on the camera and are shown begging. I wouldn't like to go to a game either if I am harassed while I am watching the game.

 

[Pratters]

So leave it as it is in this country - no need to change it at all. What's more, no possibility to currently even if it were to be desireable.

And change it in the places that it needs to be changed, due to the fact that it's no longer as popular as you'd hope for it to be.

Yeah, exactly what I was thinking...

 

[burr]

As for Boycott's concerns that Test cricket needed a revamp because it was boring, Benaud couldn't resist a parting shot at a batsman who built a reputation for strangling the life out of games.

"Who made them boring?" Benaud said.

Courtesy The Australian. Well said Richie

 

[BhupinderSingh]

I would suggest to make it 10 days,4 innings.

 

[Richard]

As for Boycott's concerns that Test cricket needed a revamp because it was boring, Benaud couldn't resist a parting shot at a batsman who built a reputation for strangling the life out of games.

"Who made them boring?" Benaud said.

Courtesy The Australian. Well said Richie

Bit cheeky TBH. Batsmen were batting slow long before Boycott.

In any case, only those who lack a true understanding of cricket find slow scoring boring by default.

 

[pasag]

Bit cheeky TBH. Batsmen were batting slow long before Boycott.

In any case, only those who lack a true understanding of cricket find slow scoring boring by default.

Going OT here, but personally I find it boring unless it's against a real quality attack, on a bowler friendly pitch or essential for the side's welfare, like fighting to stay in the game, or for the draw. Just because it's Test match cricket and the greatest game on earth, doesn't mean it can't be boring.

 

[Fiery]

In any case, only those who lack a true understanding of cricket find slow scoring boring by default.

Opinion stated as fact again