| The issue with Test cricket (TC) and the shorter | | | | marketable T20 format, then why do England and |
| forms of the game is an interesting one. Products | | | | Australian fans, players and officials anticipate the |
| have a shelf life, but Test and First Class has a | | | | Ashes series many months in advance? It is true that |
| particularly long one. Those with longer memories | | | | some cricket fans prefer T20, but enough fans and |
| would realize that this is not the first time that the | | | | players still love TC. It provides something different |
| traditional game has faced problems. When the West | | | | for cricket fans and players. |
| Indies participated in the first tied match back in the | | | | TC was always a niche game-like baseball. It is very |
| 1960/61 season, the longest form of cricket required | | | | popular in the Commonwealth-but only in certain |
| a boost-it got that from within. When one-day | | | | nations (particularly India). Attendance at Test |
| cricket came along, cricket fans and pundits believed | | | | matches might be on the decline, but that fact does |
| that Test matches would soon be extinct (that was | | | | not apply to every Test series, particularly the Ashes. |
| back in the 70s). | | | | In addition, we can attribute falling attendance to |
| To suggest that T20 cricket will annihilate Test | | | | couch potatoes carrying more weight in the cricket |
| match cricket is to ignore history. Yes, the world is | | | | world. In addition, many Test series like Bangladesh |
| changing but Test cricket was challenged before and | | | | versus anyone or (New Zealand versus West Indies) |
| survived. It is undeniable that T20 has an impact on | | | | do not generate much interest, even in the |
| TC, since the International Cricket Council is forced to | | | | participating countries. |
| focus on its marketability. This is a good thing | | | | Test cricket will survive the T20 onslaught simply |
| because Test cricket's problems do not arise from | | | | because there is a market for it. Those who forecast |
| T20. Flat pitches and weak international teams are | | | | its extinction fail to take into account its uniqueness |
| problems that reduce the marketability of Test | | | | and niche appeal. T20 is new and fresh but eventually |
| cricket. T20 merely gives the cricket fan something | | | | the storm surround T20 cricket will settle. One-day |
| fresh and exciting. It is becoming clearer that Test | | | | cricket had a similar effect and now it is facing its |
| cricket's low marketability is not the result of T20 | | | | own challenges. Test cricket might just be here to |
| cricket. | | | | stay. |
| If Test cricket were doomed because of the more | | | | |