How much time does Test cricket have left?

[S.Kennedy]

Test/First-Rate cricket has been ''dying'' since Queen Victoria was on the throne. It is still with us.

 

[DriveClub]

Haven't heard anything constructive so far, just the same rhetoric thats used every time

So far everyone acknowledges that you use the money made from t20 leagues and such to keep playing test cricket, its nothing new but for how long can it go on? Outside big 3 you're leaking money every test series. The current series SA vs SL will be watched by 10 people(haven't watched the matches but doubt I would be way off the mark) while the CSA loses money just for hosting the series. At the least you should be able to break even. I think big 3 fans will not be able to look from the smaller countries' perspective.

 

[S.Kennedy]

Haven't heard anything constructive so far, just the same rhetoric thats used every time

So far everyone acknowledges that you use the money made from t20 leagues and such to keep playing test cricket, its nothing new but for how long can it go on? Outside big 3 you're leaking money every test series. The current series SA vs SL will be watched by 10 people(haven't watched the matches but doubt I would be way off the mark) while the CSA loses money just for hosting the series. At the least you should be able to break even. I think big 3 fans will not be able to look from the smaller countries' perspective.

Way off the mark from the highlights I've seen. Good crowd.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Maybe end soon as BCCI won't want Cook to overtake Tendulkar's run tally.

 

[Burner]

It's not going anywhere. This 'test cricket is dying' fad every year is nauseating.

 

[Furball]

I don't think we can stick our head in the sand and pretend that test cricket is in a really healthy situation. It needs a serious injection in many countries. I see day night cricket helping with that though

While this is true I definitely think the game is in a healthier state than it was 7 or 8 years ago.

 

[Furball]

Notice fans from the big 3 seem much more confidence & hunky dory about future prospects across the board that those from smaller nations. Doubt it's a coincidence.

No it isn't, and I accept that a lot of Test cricket's current health stems from the BCCI taking Test cricket more seriously than they've done for most of the last 25 years.

However, we're at this point despite India and Pakistan refusing to play each other, Pakistan being unable to play at home for almost a decade, South Africa doing their best to allow domestic politics to harm the sport and the West Indies being weak (apologies for going all Langevelt, but there's no denying a side with such a fabulous cricketing history would be a big draw if they could get their **** together).

Fix one or two of these issues and the game would be in an even stronger state.

 

[Furball]

I wish I shared your confidence about NZ. We're lucky to get 1000 people turning up for a day of Test cricket in NZ. It's generally played in empty stadiums.

This is where you need a bit of joined up thinking between your cricket board and your tourism board. I'll expand on this point later but you have some of the most picturesque grounds in world cricket, there is definitely the opportunity for New Zealand Cricket to market and sell a unique cricketing experience to those who love the game.

 

[Kirkut]

Test cricket will remain, but it may evolve into a completely unknown sport with time. 30 years later it will not be test cricket as we know it now.

 

[fredfertang]

India should play Pakistan, that will tell us how much interest there is in Test cricket

 

[Howe_zat]

It's not going anywhere. This 'test cricket is dying' fad every year is nauseating.

can't really call it a fad when it's been going strong for decades.

 

[Howe_zat]

Has there ever been an example, in modern times, of a major sport 'dying'?

 

[Burner]

can't really call it a fad when it's been going strong for decades.

Only after posting did it dawn on me that 'schtick' would have worked better.

 

[Biryani Pillow]

In over 40 years of watching cricket I've heard the "Test cricket is dying/dead" line every few years.

And I've read serious reports from the 1960s saying the same.

Guess what?

 

[fredfertang]

Has there ever been an example, in modern times, of a major sport 'dying'?

Billiards?

 

[Biryani Pillow]

Billiards?

Not a sport.........

 

[Bijed]

Not a sport.........

Is it not? It is part of the group of activities known as 'cue sports'

Whether it should be is a fair debate, but I think it officially/technically is

 

[S.Kennedy]

Boxing, although far from dead, was much more ubiquitous before the sanctioning bodies got greedy and made it pay-per-view - that and the assembly line of great boxers running a bit dry after Tyson, Lewis etc.

 

[fredfertang]

Not a sport.........

You won't be supporting the bids of chess and bridge to get in the 2020 Olympics then BP?

 

[Biryani Pillow]

You won't be supporting the bids of chess and bridge to get in the 2020 Olympics then BP?

Of course not.

Cue 'sports' are pub games, like darts..........