Anyone got it on? The pitch isn't fit for purpose. Root has just gloved one to slip and it nearly decapitated him. Bairstow on 23 and looks like he's decided to just have a smash because he'll wear one soon.
The pitch is shocking. Great bit of fielding by Windies to get Root, but nobody could play that ball leaping just off a length, missed first two wickets so not sure if yet more poor batting or unlucky. No surprise seeing us not very many for 3 though.
Absolutely are but I understand that test match cricket is killing itself . Don't get me wrong I could sit and watch it all day but many fans are turning their backs on it . Just look at how many West Indies supporters there were at the first Test .
Bring back Geoffrey,Gooch and ask Cook to reconsider retiring. And let's stop this joke of 3 wicketkeepers in an 11.
It's seems harder and harder to find the right balance between bat and ball. It's the state of the pitchs that's the biggest problem in test cricket.
That’s more to do with ticket prices than interest. It’s true cricket is struggling to attract fans however in general, there’s many reasons but a team making 600 in a test match isn’t one id have thought.
Don't think it's to do with ticket prices rather the fact that west indian test cricket has been in decline over the last 15 years or so. The decent/good cricketers they had/have have turned to 50/20 overs cricket as a consequence of mis-management by the west indies cricket board ( and the ability to make more money playing franchise cricket world-wide of course)
Most countries apart from England are struggling to attract crowds for Test matches , even India . The game must modernise, it can't survive just as a game for the purists .
That's why they have pyjama cricket, pay the bills with some silly throwaway skillless game.... and proper cricket can continue how it should. I think ticket prices are a massive issue. Think its approx. £85 at the Oval for the Ashes this summer and can only see that rising to fund Surreys ground development. Don't know what prices overseas are for test cricket (have a feeling it can be two tiered pricing to catch the tourist money in places), but that is likely to be higher than it used to be.
Even at £85, the Oval will be full this summer . Many people just don't watch Test match cricket any more because there's so many more entertaining alternatives . It can be pretty dull at times . Low scoring matches are usually the best to watch .
*gasp* Its really rare you get boring batting fests where only 2 wickets go in a day. Pitches are much more helpful now, but batting technique is pretty dreadful.
It survives in certain countries where test crowds are disappointing because of the money these boards get from BT and Sky, who are now throwing more money than ever about to gain the tv rights.
You're looking at this from DWLC point of view . I'm sure you'll have a lovely day with the other couple of hundred traditionalists sat in a 25,000 seater stadium . It doesn't do much for the game in the long term .
Its certainly more than a few hundred. The ground will be 40,000 in a few years time and it will sell out, certainly for Ashes games. If people want to watch pointless skillless gimmicks, there is t20. For a bit more technique but a guaranteed finish... there are odi's. A new format is due to be brought out, yet more gimmickry.... why do we need to tamper with the only form of cricket that is trying to promote skill and attrition? Leave that be, faff with the rest.
In your opinion of course. I'm not particularly a t20 fan other than when England play, but they attract full houses so obviously there's plenty of support for that format, whereas Test match attendances are falling . You know what they say about the definition of madness don't you ?
Yes, the definition of madness is trying to tinker with the perfect game. I often find football is too long. I hope there are plans to play a 2 min 43 second match on a 10 metre pitch, blindfolded where all teams have purple socks and its on quicksand... that will stop diving and the ball rolling too fast out of play... I do hate it when that happens... oh and the pitch will be in a bubble to stop the elements getting to it.... and only people called Herbert can watch if they bring a dog.... much better ;-)
