Boundary
Cricket Spectator
My passion for test Cricket
Cricket, in its first-class form, is an oddity. If it were a person, she would be socially awkward. Unsure of herself. Painfully shy, struggling and ultimately failing to fit in with a new group. Over time, she is given a chance by an understanding few who take the time to have a few words with her. They show patience, and in a while, she is seen for what she is. A hidden gem. Fascinating, genuinely likable, and her eccentricities only endear her more to those who have bothered to get to know her. Those who haven't simply mock her for her unusual ways, and her less than glamorous appearance. As is the way with today's world, many hidden gems are rarely bothered with. They are mocked, as are those who have taken the time. When you're from Ireland, loving cricket is genuinely frowned upon. I am Catholic, proudly Irish and working class, but I love something as thoroughly un-Irish as the game of Cricket. And while the situation has improved, that applies mainly to the field of Twenty20 Cricket, or the limited overs game. The county and test arenas remain completely misunderstood.
I do not fear for cricket's future. Twenty20 is thriving. However, I see the game of Twenty20 as a completely different sport to the one I love. I don't hate it, but its not something that I'd follow in anything other than a casual capacity. Much like Rugby and Soccer. I see it as the antithesis of what I love about first-class cricket, but that's not an example of bashing the shortened game. Truth be told, pretty much every sport represents that same antithesis. What match lasts any longer than a day in any other sport, let alone five? How first-class cricket has made it this far is in itself remarkable. It belongs to a different era, like many things. Twenty20's success provides me with no comfort. It simply reminds me of how different I am, how far I have fallen behind the times. The world left me struggling to keep up a long time ago. Soon, I fear the same will happen to a game that draws many parallels with myself. I am shy, unsure, ultimately different. Those who have taken the time to get to know me seem to like me. Some love me. But it takes a lot of time to get to know me. It takes a lot of time to get to know first-class cricket. I'm glad I took the time.
In the grand scheme of things, first class cricket, and test cricket in particular, is somewhat unremarkable. It coasts along most of the time. But I never feel bored. Because it is its constant threat that makes this game truly special. It can burst into life without warning, and generally does. These flashes are the culmination of a period of intense, slow burning tension. It is the reward for those who give this special game a chance. It takes on a new life, before cooling down to its usual simmer again. It develops. It constantly intrigues. It poses questions, and keeps those who have been posed the question in suspense. It is a epic drama among shorter, snappier, more accessible productions. But ultimately, it is an oddity.
The Christmas period is arguably my favorite of them all in cricketing terms. I always take some time off work to gorge on the offerings of the 'Boxing Day' tests. Right now, I am struggling to contain my excitement ahead of the continuation of India and Australia's already fascinating series, and I will also pay close attention to the happenings in South Africa. Even a test match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe is infinitely more appealing to me than a limited overs clash between Australia and England. Maybe I am not a true cricket fan, as I do not love the game in all its forms. But that's the way it is.
However, more and more often, test cricket is being hosted in virtually empty stadiums. I enjoyed watching the action unfold between New Zealand and the Windies over the summer in the Carribean, but I remain astounded at how this once great cricketing empire now plays host to the game's purest form in practically empty stadiums. Bar the thrill of an Ashes summer, it seems that only England, and to a lesser extent South Africa and Australia, are capable of hosting test matches in front of respectable numbers. I do not know if it can be fixed, or if it is just the way the world is going. I fear the latter. Looking at what is happening in India at the moment, I see no future for the first class game there, as it is overtaken by its trendier brother. Comforting statements like 'nothing beats test cricket' are little more than that. The fact is, test cricket is taking a hammering, and that shows no sign of changing.
I will keep watching, and continue to be enthralled. Although I do not know for how much longer people will be joining me.
Cricket, in its first-class form, is an oddity. If it were a person, she would be socially awkward. Unsure of herself. Painfully shy, struggling and ultimately failing to fit in with a new group. Over time, she is given a chance by an understanding few who take the time to have a few words with her. They show patience, and in a while, she is seen for what she is. A hidden gem. Fascinating, genuinely likable, and her eccentricities only endear her more to those who have bothered to get to know her. Those who haven't simply mock her for her unusual ways, and her less than glamorous appearance. As is the way with today's world, many hidden gems are rarely bothered with. They are mocked, as are those who have taken the time. When you're from Ireland, loving cricket is genuinely frowned upon. I am Catholic, proudly Irish and working class, but I love something as thoroughly un-Irish as the game of Cricket. And while the situation has improved, that applies mainly to the field of Twenty20 Cricket, or the limited overs game. The county and test arenas remain completely misunderstood.
I do not fear for cricket's future. Twenty20 is thriving. However, I see the game of Twenty20 as a completely different sport to the one I love. I don't hate it, but its not something that I'd follow in anything other than a casual capacity. Much like Rugby and Soccer. I see it as the antithesis of what I love about first-class cricket, but that's not an example of bashing the shortened game. Truth be told, pretty much every sport represents that same antithesis. What match lasts any longer than a day in any other sport, let alone five? How first-class cricket has made it this far is in itself remarkable. It belongs to a different era, like many things. Twenty20's success provides me with no comfort. It simply reminds me of how different I am, how far I have fallen behind the times. The world left me struggling to keep up a long time ago. Soon, I fear the same will happen to a game that draws many parallels with myself. I am shy, unsure, ultimately different. Those who have taken the time to get to know me seem to like me. Some love me. But it takes a lot of time to get to know me. It takes a lot of time to get to know first-class cricket. I'm glad I took the time.
In the grand scheme of things, first class cricket, and test cricket in particular, is somewhat unremarkable. It coasts along most of the time. But I never feel bored. Because it is its constant threat that makes this game truly special. It can burst into life without warning, and generally does. These flashes are the culmination of a period of intense, slow burning tension. It is the reward for those who give this special game a chance. It takes on a new life, before cooling down to its usual simmer again. It develops. It constantly intrigues. It poses questions, and keeps those who have been posed the question in suspense. It is a epic drama among shorter, snappier, more accessible productions. But ultimately, it is an oddity.
The Christmas period is arguably my favorite of them all in cricketing terms. I always take some time off work to gorge on the offerings of the 'Boxing Day' tests. Right now, I am struggling to contain my excitement ahead of the continuation of India and Australia's already fascinating series, and I will also pay close attention to the happenings in South Africa. Even a test match between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe is infinitely more appealing to me than a limited overs clash between Australia and England. Maybe I am not a true cricket fan, as I do not love the game in all its forms. But that's the way it is.
However, more and more often, test cricket is being hosted in virtually empty stadiums. I enjoyed watching the action unfold between New Zealand and the Windies over the summer in the Carribean, but I remain astounded at how this once great cricketing empire now plays host to the game's purest form in practically empty stadiums. Bar the thrill of an Ashes summer, it seems that only England, and to a lesser extent South Africa and Australia, are capable of hosting test matches in front of respectable numbers. I do not know if it can be fixed, or if it is just the way the world is going. I fear the latter. Looking at what is happening in India at the moment, I see no future for the first class game there, as it is overtaken by its trendier brother. Comforting statements like 'nothing beats test cricket' are little more than that. The fact is, test cricket is taking a hammering, and that shows no sign of changing.
I will keep watching, and continue to be enthralled. Although I do not know for how much longer people will be joining me.
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it's hard to find anyone to talk to about cricket here in Ireland, this may be my only refuge 
maybe I will contribute to that discussion tomorrow!
