- On the face of it, T20 cricket appears to have taken over the sport big time wherever the game is played around the world. Compared to other popular sporting disciplines like football, tennis, hockey, swimming, wrestling, and boxing – just to name a few – cricket is played in a smaller number of countries. However, the game is slowly gaining momentum vis-à-vis popularity courtesy of the sport’s shortest format, the T20s. Especially the franchise-based T20 cricket has taken off spectacularly not only raking in great revenue but also attracting droves of patrons simply because the nuances of the game succeed in keeping the excitement factor perpetually on. Just imagine a game getting over in three hours rather than the conventional five-day Test cricket.
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- The Indian Premiere League T20 cricket must be ranked numerous in terms of popularity attracting millions of fans and providing an extremely competitive platform for national and international cricketers to showcase their skill sets. Now there are few countries where the conventional and true form of cricket – five-day Test matches – evoke a huge following. Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and to some extent, India is considered the bedrock of Test cricket despite the focus shifting to T20s. Australia and England’s rivalry goes back ages, so the two teams compete for the upper hand in Tests, called the Ashes. Remember, the contest between these two teams is simply unquantifiable, providing unrestrained joy for sure.
- After the World Test Championship, the cricket-playing nations are keen to know the outcome of the ongoing five-match Test series between the two oldest rivals. As such, the first Test of the series in Birmingham, England generated huge interest among the true connoisseurs of the game. True to its billings, the first Test went up to the wire as the quality of cricket on display was truly world-class with the usual thrills, frills, and excitement associated when a level-playing field exists between the bat and the ball. When two equally strong teams square off, the quality of cricket is ensured. Australia eventually emerged triumphant by winning the keenly contested Test match by two wickets. And the game could have gone England’s way as well.
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- But Team Australia was the deserving winner. The credit should go to the Aussie opener Usman Khawaja for his hundred in the first innings and 65 in the second innings. He resolutely held up one end for other batsmen to score around him. Keen followers of the game know how the present England team under the stewardship of Captain Ben Stokes and Coach Brendon McCullum love to play attacking game right from the beginning. The unexpected declaration in England’s first innings demonstrated this. Joe Root produced a quality hundred in the first innings for England. Aussie Captain Pat Cummins was outstanding with both the bat and the ball. Nathan Lyon was outstanding with the ball too. Test cricket was enchanting. And will remain so forever.
