Is Test Cricket really dying??

The hottest topic of discussion amongst the cricketing fraternity these days seems to hinge on the 5 day game for some strange reason. Over the course of time, ever since its inception in the 1860's, cricket has undergone evolution just like any other sport. Today the game has become so commercialised that we often wonder if test cricket would survive the onslaught of the T20.

They say that T20 is a young man's game and those who have been born and bred playing the longer version of the game don't belong to cricket's latest baby. For a fact, it was these so called "test match batsman" who did exceedingly well on the seaming and bouncy South African wickets during the 2nd season of the IPL.

The likes of Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis proved it to everyone beyond doubt that the test cricket is the pinnacle of the Gentleman's game and the other versions of cricket are just an adaptation of the longer version.

The cricketing culture these days seems to have changed completely. These days its a common sight to see budding young cricketers talk about which IPL team they would like to represent rather representing their country. The value of earning a test match cap is soon deteriorating and that is a big cause of concern.

The best solution to tackle this growing threat of T20 cricket is to introduce a world test match league/championships on the home and away basis, which would provide some much needed oxygen and some spice to test cricket.

India,Australia and England are the only nations that have witnessed full houses for test match cricket over the years. No wonder international cricket seems to be revolving around these countries. The Ashes series of 2005 ,Border Gavaskar series last year which would now be remembered for the infamous Sydney test, and the current Ashes series has proved beyond doubt that test match cricket is here to stay. Watching Anderson bowl on that Edgbaston wicket last week was an indication that the art of swing bowling was well and truly alive and brought back memories of young Wasim and Waqar charging in to bowl.

The system needs a rethink but its certainly outrageous to think that the format of the game which has produced legends like Sir Don Bradman,Sir Garfield Sobers and Sunil Gavaskar will be forgotten. Test cricket is the true test of character and fitness and no amount of money nor commercial interest can take away the beauty of test match cricket. Won't it be a sad sight to see young bowlers running in to bowl with a third man and deep point straight away?

The ICC had been mulling for sometime about the possibility of Day Night test matches. But this move is widely touted to fail as it would take out the early advantage for the bowling team as they would not be able to make use of the moisture on the wicket, resulting in dead and placid wickets which would be enough to put the crowds to sleep.

The move would just backfire and the tradition of test match cricket would be changed forever.

What would you call the 3 breaks? (Dinner,Drinks and Stumps? !!). Bizarre!!