What is the state of Test match cricket? | Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton and Ian Bishop discuss

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Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton and Ian Bishop discuss the state of Test cricket at Trent Bridge ahead of the fourth day of the second Test between England and West Indies.
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[@sfleeee]

Test match cricket will always be the pinnacle of the sport for me. Nothing else compares.

[@Saahil_Jain]

True.

[@Jaydoggie1]

You and me are in the minority my friend, most people these days don’t really care for a sport that goes for 5 days

[@AnupamKhatana]

True

[@subbusubbu7726]

​@@Jaydoggie1yeah .its because of all those useless leagues

[@7ChaosBlack]

@@subbusubbu7726 Which has kept the game afloat you slave of colonialism.

[@KamogeloRakgalakane]

Born in 2001 as a South African 🇿🇦 test match cricket is what made fall in love with the game

[@gunner4life568]

@@KamogeloRakgalakane le nna but I must say over the last few years I have lost the love for cricket in general mainly because of the lack of Test cricket we play and too much meaningless T20 cricket no more iconic innings or bowling spells we used to see in cricket

[@CheezeGriffin]

​@@gunner4life568the game is sadly diluted and CSA is not looking to invest much in tests .

[@SumeetSarangal]

Test match cricket will always be the true form of cricket

[@debasismohanty1952]

Test only popular in England and Australia

[@SHIVASAI-gv2fl]

​@@debasismohanty1952 in india also

[@debasismohanty1952]

@@SHIVASAI-gv2fl no majority of our fans don't understand test cricket they watch test cricket because of Virat Kohli and rohit sharma

[@SHIVASAI-gv2fl]

@@debasismohanty1952 our test match liking population is more than England and Australia

[@debasismohanty1952]

@@SHIVASAI-gv2fl I'm not talking about the population here yes indias population 1.4 billion but in india odi cricket still the number one format T20 second best and test no3 that's why we will never treat our test players like super stars examples VVS Laxman and cheteshwar pujara Ashwin but t20 specialists like hardhik pandya and sky popular than pujara Ashwin that's shows we never understands the test cricket

[@JimmyDanger44]

T20 and ODI are fun, but test cricket is the pinnacle, and if it dies, I doubt I'll stay with the game.

[@Gintoki1725]

Pinnacle is easily the odi wc nothing comes close to it

[@joebowden4065]

@@Gintoki1725that is not a format tho. No one really cares about ODI games outside of the world cup and same about domestic 40 and 50 over competitions

[@gunner4life568]

I have already lost the love for cricket personally

[@Green-ou4cg]

@@gunner4life568why brother?

[@gunner4life568]

@@Green-ou4cg I think the T20 has made me lose love for cricket because they are meaningless btw I am just 27 yrs old and I grew up watching great test series every December in south Africa and I knew every summer a big team was coming down here for a great series but lately we just have two match series and the players don't seem interested in Test cricket so I also have checked out especially the last three years I have replaced the love for cricket with horse racing.I wish cricket all the best but I no longer care that much

[@masoodahmed2041]

Test cricket is the best ever format there have been players from across the globe who have given so many people moments they will never forget for me this happened at Headingley in 1981 a 9 year old thinking wow this is a good game.

[@billybank2012]

henry blofeld said back in 93 : one day cricket is an exhibition and test cricket is an examination..... you cant let exhibition cricket take over examination cricket .... ive never liked 20/20 cricket personally....as a 90's teenager i watched gooch, smith, lamb, stewart and the like bat... nothing comes close to test cricket, nothing ever will.

[@Jahno71]

Imran Khan years ago said the same thing about ODIs being just exhibition matches

[@neoandleia]

Unfortunately, it's hard to find time to watch a full test match. If hardcore test cricket fans could generate at least break even revenue, it will continue.

[@yograjgurung5497]

Its like saying golf is better sport than football because golf last for days and football finishes in just 90 minutes. Yes you might see lot of things happening in golf because its longer than football but people will always choose football over golf anyday because football is way more entertaining.

[@LUFC123]

Blowers had it right

[@anonymous.indian__00]

I have a question ...the hell we need champions trophy as icc tournament?? Their is problem of too many icc tournament making the game look boring . We need to scrap champions trophy and use that time to play more test matches(especially those SA,WI ,SL WHO PLAY ONLY 2-3 MATCH TEST SERIES ).and odi MATCHES (INCLUDE TRI- LATERAL , QUADRILATERAL SERIES WITH ONE ASSOCIATE NATION IN IT).

[@debasismohanty1952]

Because bcci wants it

[@Annie_R18]

Agreed

[@note4g.airolinote4g.airoli96]

Tri-laterals, quadrilaterals cost a huge bomb in logistics as well as loss of precious time & days for teams who could utilise them them more fruitfully. You talk without a clue to whats costs really cricket is run on Agree that Champions trophy needs to be scrapped (& I suspect the 2025 event could well be the last one).. but it has been a money spinner for ICC in the past .. though the sudden near demise of ODIs has put a spanner on that

[@mohan_reddy.]

​@@debasismohanty1952 India is not participating in champions tropy

[@debasismohanty1952]

@@mohan_reddy. Nice joke 😂😂 india will play ct trophy in UAE 🤣🤣

[@Mirage_1212]

This is gold. I will watch it in some time. But I can already say that this is gold.

[@razaaahmad03]

Yep, compared to watching football analysis cricket analysis is a breath of fresh air because the opinions feel genuine and not agenda driven. Especially with these guys that are well spoken but also very intelligent when talking about the game.

[@Mirage_1212]

@@razaaahmad03 dude cricket has also gone that way only. Fortunately, sky sports is one of the few gems left in cricket. This panel is one of the best in business.

[@nc_aravindan]

You know its good when you see 4 middle aged men sit on a bench in a ground and talk about Test Cricket. I would make T20 a franchise only format and make ODI/Test for national teams.

[@Mirage_1212]

@@nc_aravindan I would rather have all 3 formats at international level. I don't care for franchise leagues. I know that's not how commercials work. But that's just my personal opinion.

[@razaaahmad03]

@@Mirage_1212 it goes that way when you bring in women who haven't got a clue about the game yes. But when you have these guys who've played the game you get a great insight into the mind of a cricketer. And that's important for the viewers

[@dandabash]

Nasser Hussain s just so might eloquent .. the way he expressed emotions and true sense if an argument ... I'm in awe of his cadence

[@samwalker5409]

One thing few people seem to mention when discussing the death of test cricket is how expensive it is. One day of cricket at Old Trafford this summer cost £54, and that was on the cheaper side. Over the years I've been lucky enough to go to numerous test matches at Old Trafford, Lords, and The Oval and multiple days play over a summer is just totally unfeasible for many folks (not even accounting for kids). While I understand that a day of Test match cricket is longer, and so therefore more valuable, when offered the choice between taking a family of 4 to a T20 blast or Hundred game vs taking that same family to a day of Test cricket, I reckon that many will be forced into one choice. While this isn't something that is currently affecting attendances in England, it could very well be something that catches up with the ECB as the current crop of match going fans get older. For context I'm 26 years old and Test cricket is my favourite format of the game, at the club I play at (in the adult teams) it is everyone's favourite format of the game. What irks me so much is knowing just how much of the pie the top 3 nations make from the ICC AND THEN they charge up to, and exceeding, £100 a day. I don't know what the pricing structure is like in other parts of the world, but if it is anything like in the UK then I can only imagine this is a reason for why attendances dwindle as team performance suffers. It simply isn't worth paying £50 a day knowing there's a 1 in 10 chance of watching your team have a half decent day.

[@manantyagi1309]

It's 15$ in india for a 5 day game recently watched ind vs eng test. It's quite affordable here.

[@nandraclan1493]

The problem of over-priced tickets is definitely overlooked, especially in England. I'm an 80's child and have loved watching cricket since the late 80's. However, in a cost of living crisis I simply can't justify the costs of watching a day's test match cricket, especially with how the weather is. It's a shame, because watching live is a totally different experience from watching on screen. ODI's were my favourite format to watch because as a spectator you'd be able to see a full day's play and have a result at the end of it. With that said, I am actually more worried about 50 over ODI's than test cricket, as that format seems to be dying off first.

[@craigduncan7010]

I can see why you think it is too expensive. But the stadiums are almost always full in England. So, it is not in fact too expensive. I have any reason to defend these prices, but compare it to the price of a football match (say in the Championship or League 1). Or tickets to a concert, festival or even a movie. I would say 54 pounds for an entire day seems relatively cheap.

[@sib1212]

*test cricket never die bcz of new test championship, but bcz of so many t20 leagues my favorite format ODI officially died now, no more odi tri-series, 7 match odi series like old days💔*

[@reeneljoseph]

To me WTC is a joke format , but agree to keep it relevant. Some teams are playing more test than the others , they get mostly the chance in WTC championship than the rest.

[@ce11amitkumaryadav83]

​@@reeneljosephit's the percentage that counts winning 7/14 is same as winning 11/22

[@nandraclan1493]

@@reeneljoseph Agreed, the format is farcical. I actually preferred the test mace idea they had before, as a symbol of how long a team is able to stay at the top of the most challenging format in the sport. I feel that test cricket is rather unique in that it doesn't really require a league or tournament structure to inform as to who the best test team is. In the 80's West Indies earned that right through sheer dominance home and away over a long period of time. This is what makes Test cricket so great and unique... each test playing nation goes through phases, eras, and mini-eras. What I think would help Test cricket more than anything is to ensure that all nations are playing the same number of test matches over a two year period. All test series need to be a minimum of 3 tests regardless of team rankings.

[@reeneljoseph]

@@nandraclan1493 agree , make 3 series home and away. Everyone get a chance.

[@keranturakhia5407]

Which is a real shame

[@RahulMenon-ce7zu]

The drama of Test cricket cannot be replicated in other formats. The value and the moments are incredible ❤

[@yograjgurung5497]

Its like saying golf is better sport than football because golf last for days and football finishes in just 90 minutes. Yes you might see lot of things happening in golf because its longer than football but people will always choose football over golf anyday because football is way more entertaining.

[@seanpurcell558]

@@yograjgurung5497 Your comment is irrelevant, and utter nonsense!

[@petermcquade1003]

Well said Nass! I can listen to you all day long! And your stats are amazing! Test Cricket is for me the pinnacle of Cricket, it's 5 days of graft instead of 20 overs of slog. I want to watch mental battles over 5 days instead of throwing the bat over a few hours. As for the Windies, I think they are making a good side, their bowling line up is quality! Ian Bishop is for me along side Nass as the top Cricket commentator and this has been a top series so far. Big clap to the West Indies!

[@flch95]

Man I could listen to this discussion for 5 full days

[@myTeapotON]

under rated comment

[@derekbos4404]

Nah, just for 2.5 hours, and I need fireworls, dancing girls and modern music to keep me engaged 😂

[@DDBURMANNEWINDIANEXPRESS]

Three of the best cricket panelists.

[@rickmepham8819]

Fascinating discussion, agree with most points brought up here. Nassers love for test cricket really shows through. Test match cricket can't die, it just can't.

[@larrygerry985]

It is about the quality of the players. If WI, NZ, SA, Sri Lanaka can play their best 11, test cricket will day

[@gunner4life568]

That is the wish we all have but unfortunately we those countries like SA are becoming slowly irrelevant in Test cricket

[@sarfarazhussain5411]

So eng is playing better? Why is SA here? SA will beat this England side.

[@DhyeyDandnayak]

Fantastic chat guys. Another point I'd like to add is regarding the broadcast distribution of the games. To grow the game, be it Test match cricket or T20s, more games must be on free to air television and clips, videos, etc. must be able to be easily made and distributed by fans on the internet.

[@nirmalyabhattacharya4001]

Having Competitive test teams is the main problem. I distinctly remember the 2018 series in England. We lost 4-1 but it was great viewing cause there was fight every day throughout the series. Same for when England toured this time. This does not happen with any team other than the big 3. Only providing money cannot be the solution. There are boards like Bangladesh, Pakistan who have leagues, generate some sort of revenue but it is never translated in either quality of domestic or infrastructure.

[@7ChaosBlack]

England didn't compete whatsoever this year. They were fortunate enough to not get whitewashed 5-0 because of a Pope 196 riddled with luck. You can get away with it once but over the course of a 5 Test series, it won't come off. Australia are still the only team to come close to winning a series in India.

[@nirmalyabhattacharya4001]

@@7ChaosBlack It was good for viewing is my point. The crowds also proved it. Imagine the batting order before Crawley and Duckett.....it would have been a massacre 😂

[@debasismohanty1952]

​@@nirmalyabhattacharya4001 in india test format is not popular odi format still the no1 format in india 😂😂

[@7ChaosBlack]

@@nirmalyabhattacharya4001 It's good for the neutral but English fans will switch off if they keep losing.

[@sivasudheendra6215]

​@@nirmalyabhattacharya4001 Glad someone recognised it...we lost that series mainly because of curran, if only our bowlers were half as good as he was we would have atleast managed 2-3,or might have finished 3-2...This years series was one to watch out for though as Kohli,pant and shami weren't playing ...they just lost to their arrogance.. root playing reverse scoop turning point of the series

[@Dionach]

Consider what cricket would be like without the red ball game. How often do you see a batsman who is in poor form come in, grind out a 50, and slowly grow in confidence as the innings progresses? Can't do that in T20... Long form is both the foundation - and the highest standard, in Tests - of all cricket in my opinion

[@handletheball]

Basically, people who actually love, enjoy and understand cricket will always value Test cricket more than anything else😊😊 Also, I think 50 over is more at risk of dying out rather than tests

[@saikatghosh9073]

Exactly, I like T20 and Test but ODI not so much

[@yograjgurung5497]

Its like saying golf is better sport than football because golf last for days and football finishes in just 90 minutes. Yes you might see lot of things happening in golf because its longer than football but people will always choose football over golf anyday because football is way more entertaining.

[@seanpurcell558]

@@yograjgurung5497 Your comment is irrelevant, and utter nonsense!

[@satnav0961]

Need to get good quality warm up games scheduled in so that first tests are more competitive. We all love test cricket here in England, hopefully the rest of the world keep the love too.

[@cruze7778]

These guys are just best.. so articulate, so nuanced.

[@s.anekar.tushar]

Outstanding insight into stats my Nasser Hussain and his stat team. Completely changed my view about results in test cricket. Always a good discussion when Ian Bishop joins.

[@RatedR942]

The thing that could kill Test cricket is not T20 or the Hundered. It's the quality of cricket in Test Matches. Apart from India, England ,Australia and NZ , the quality is poor from other nations.

[@Lawangeenkhan-uu6fw]

3 of my most fav commentators Nash, Bash and Atherton

[@kunjandesai4341]

12:51, Add to that list "Last time Australia won series in india 20 years back 2004.

[@Lonewolf004]

Australia is the only Team that has went head to head with India in India in The Last 10 years. Others have just come got beat easily.

[@Bernie8330]

@@Lonewolf004 We went head to head in 2017, last year (2023), pretty much not at all.

[@alexmeechan9701]

How many times do we have this discussion

[@Jaydoggie1]

Yet here you are watching 5 minutes after it’s been upoloaded 😂

[@alextv293]

Until the ipl and the hundred dissolve

[@alexmeechan9701]

@@alextv293 never going to happen sadly

[@VikJo]

every time british cricketers meet each other, they will have this conversation in exchange for money from broadcasters and blame players for following the same idealogy.

[@rahuljacobgeorge573]

These 4 have such long discussions 😂

[@shreyassarkar9648]

Never hear such quality discussion ever on Indian Sports channels like Star & Sony. It is always about individual cricketers & to what extent they can go overboard in gloryfying them

[@heliumtrophy]

It's the same old thing writ large with those who say "throwing money at the problem won't necessarily improve the situation," but we've seen that starving the money from other test teams and keeping the proceeds has slowly let Test cricket disintegrate while money is also needed for facilities which need to be improved on an almost annual basis - sure it's not going to improve drastically overnight but if they're siphoning off money for their own interests, the big 3 have effectively put the other nations through austerity and the other nations are supposed to be grateful to them because as was so famously said "they come here and think that they're doing you a favour." Nobody wants to be put out like that so let's not have the Major Test Nations fall into that trap as well. If you're looking for instant results and quick fixes this isn't something that's going to make you happy. It requires time, patience and I'm sorry, some money so that everyone gets the best resources available to flourish. If they can't have that then you're just killing off the game bit by bit by bit.

[@rambhattacharjee1850]

Thank you Sky cricket for holding discussion on Cricket, rather than one match

[@skylarutd]

Test cricket is the best cricket.

[@yograjgurung5497]

Its like saying golf is better sport than football because golf last for days and football finishes in just 90 minutes. Yes you might see lot of things happening in golf because its longer than football but people will always choose football over golf anyday because football is way more entertaining.

[@seanpurcell558]

@@yograjgurung5497 Your comment is irrelevant, and utter nonsense!

[@subashchandramajhi8363]

The only format that can judge The quality of player is the test cricket.

[@hughowen8453]

Well said, Nasser. Completely agree with everything he said.

[@vaishakchenolivazhayil6531]

This is the best cricket channel and analysis i have ever seen

[@HardcoreSalmon]

How many great moments can you say have happened in test match cricket? Brian Lara 400 not out, Ashes 2005, Stokes at Headingley, Laker 19 wickets, Botham and Willis in 1981, Sri Lanka 952, Murali 800 on his last ball, Broad 8-15, Ambrose 7-1 in Perth, Tendulkar 15900 runs, Bradman etc In t20/ODIs I can barely think of anything so legendary: Yuvraj 6 sixes, Malinga 4 in 4, Brathwaite 4 sixes to win, England vs New Zealand WC final, Akram vs England 1992 I think one of the big problems with the short forms of the game is that it's so in favour of batsmen. 90% of the time the tactic is: try not to get hit for six.

[@sumbdi]

Very surprising u forget to mention one of the greatest test series ever played i.e 2020-21 BGT series, 2001 Australia india series, In the year end there is going to another BGT series in Australia and the way Australia and India are playing currently that is expected to another cracker of a series.

[@beefy1986]

​@@sumbdi2021 was not even close. Please see the BGT 2001 series. See the WI tour of Australia in 1961 and in 1979. See England's most recent tour to NZ where they lost a match by 1 run despite NZ being asked to follow on.

[@hbsblkk3842]

@@sumbdino one cares about that except India fans

[@sumbdi]

@@hbsblkk3842 please put up a survey and check u ll get the answer.

[@Spickydarrel]

​@@hbsblkk3842australia cares for sure

[@AlexanderBonds-sy4gh]

Flat track in this match 0:40 😂😂😂😂

[@charliebrooke4523]

It’s good to see important figures in the game discussing these key issues, but we need them to push for action by proposing specific changes. These players, coaches, and commentators need to stand up and do all they can to support the test game

[@anneeq008]

The quality of this discussion 👌🏽. Three points really stood out that I never appreciated: 1. The importance of very fast bowlers in an era where we're ultra obsessed with line and length, slower bowls etc 2. The importance of the practice matches and having good gaps between the tests. 3. How much more resource intensive hosting series is for countries like the West Indies There were other good points like people's tastes changing with age and that those into t20s getting introduced to the game then later on getting into tests. Point number 2 will never be reversed unfortunately. There's just too little time in the day..... It will take a lot of creative thinking to sort out this conundrum.... I genuinely can't think of a solution to don't empty stains during tests in the Windies and even subcontinental Asia. Tbh even ODIs in the West Indies are a big story. They're being played in empty stadiums too....

[@samreissrudolph8601]

Nass talks really well ❤

[@richardmccann5359]

I can remember listening to Test Match commentary on the radio when West Indies were top dogs. Packed grounds and sensational cricket. Will never forget it.

[@BicycleGhosts]

This is SUCH a good discussion

[@user-xg4td3gg7e]

Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton best cricket commentators 👍

[@harrycampbell2593]

The cause of dropping viewers is there is no live cricket on freeview TV. They can't address the elephant in the room when they work for sky.

[@MrShoryuken1]

It happened to rugby, boxing, F1 and cricket. Sky ruins the viewership of sports.

[@jag7914]

You nailed it

[@ads2686]

​@@MrShoryuken1sky also makes them sports lots of money. You still get highlights of England games on the BBC

[@bennewman566]

As a lover of test cricket and first class cricket more generally, the biggest struggle for me is the time it gets played. It is difficult to watch while working a full time job. While I personally prefer daytime tests I think there should be more day/night games

[@naveensaini4047]

What an insightful talk is this. Nasser is right u have to give even chance to the visiting team then after u decide that team is dying or not

[@Zoocsgo]

Test is the only cricket i really watch.

[@yograjgurung5497]

Its like saying golf is better sport than football because golf last for days and football finishes in just 90 minutes. Yes you might see lot of things happening in golf because its longer than football but people will always choose football over golf anyday because football is way more entertaining.

[@Zoocsgo]

@yograjgurung5497 its comparing 2 different sports. It's like comparing masters vs mini golf

[@abhishekghosh2686]

For me every league should focus on producing their own respective players from their country not depends on foreign players... IPL BBL etc etc need to focus on their own domestic players

[@NishantSharma-vf2wd]

I know that test cricket is the pinnacle of the game and my favourite format too so it should be preserved but why don't these former cricketers ever talk about saving Odi cricket which is another traditional format of the game but has been destroyed by icc itself because of stupid rules?

[@dearmrkiran]

1. Trash two new ball rule in ODIs 2. Bilateral ODI series to become quadrangulars with 1 associate nation. 3. Enhance rules that favour bowlers 4. Remove grey areas in rules such as that 'overthrow' vs stokes, WC Final 2019 5. Standardize boundary sizes across grounds. 60 m boundaries are becoming a farce. 6. Visiting test captain decides the pitch conditions for a test series as standard. 7. ICC to abolish quota for national teams' selection (SA for eg) 8. ICC to have a window / portal for whistleblowing from players / coaches against undue exercise of power by administrators. Investigation to come out in mainstream media but petitioner to remain anonymous.

[@Bernie8330]

With your point 4, there is no mathematical grey area: 2 + 4 = 6. The grey area is in the Laws that state 'having crossed at the instant of the throw'. This could easily be reworded as 'when the overthrow occurs' or simply 'at the instant of the overthrow'. That f-ckwit Simon Taufel did so much damage with his self-adulating internationally attention seeking comments.

[@stevesanders4071]

Test cricket is a war of attrition, it builds over time and catches fire at points. But it’s that grind that makes it.

[@arnaboceanatyahoo]

Nasser beautifully explained...

[@johnmccartney2]

I was watching highlights of a test from the 80s, and heard the commentators remark “test cricket is alive and well” - when ODIs were seen as a threat. This is a question that’s been debated on for decades, and will continue to - but test cricket is fine. The needless debates can slow down.

[@bharathsugunesh2083]

Nas explained it well that youngsters can get into test through other formats. I am in my early 30s and used to enjoy ODIs. But now I exclusively watch only Test matches. It is the truest form of the game and the ebbs and flows are just beautiful.

[@haroldmangru5571]

cricket in the west indies needs money to be spent in the high schools to have a coach and proper cricket facilities.

[@ritvikmuthuswamy7155]

This coverage is incredible 🔥 invaluable, unbiased analysis from greats of the game

[@note4g.airolinote4g.airoli96]

1. Agree with Bish that the ICC revenue distribution ratio needs to be tweaked a bit to help the "high cost low revenue" boards not just cover event costs but also be able to keep facilities going & keep adding to them, as well as being able to offer better remuneration to players. On this issue, I actually see India agreeing to share around a bit, while the England & Australia boards offering lip service & talking a big game doing nothing for the cause & trying to ensure they dont have to share out .. & yet somehow claiming all the credit in the end for making the BCCI to share around. Thats what I call lip service & big talking game. 2. Tickets are priced so exorbitant even for test matches. What kind of a fool decides on such pricing that ends up in empty stadia, near zero ticket revenue & diminished value of Test match as a product to the broadcasters due to those empty stadia ? I would give away Test match tickets dirt cheap & fill up at least one stand with school children free of cost. Thats earns more ticket revenue as well as engages future fans early. 3. CA has hardly toured Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh or even New zealand .. ECB never tour BD, Zimbabwe, NZ .. heck, not even Ireland & Scotland. But they talk big about helping struggling countries .. the hypocrisy. India does much much better on that front helping struggling boards with national tours. CA should absolutely not be allowed to boycott Afghanistan over flimsy non-cricketing, no-political reasons. 4. T20 Leagues do earn enough (or just enough) money for most boards to enable them subsidize Test cricket. So it is also a question of what exactly do boards do with the money they receive. Many boards are mired in corruption & lack of vision 5. Test cricket has actually been in much better health (but not always quality) in the 21st century & even in the previous decade than it has ever been in the 20th century. The 20th century produced many uneven contests & drab draws .. & the fiery contests were very few & far in between 6. For all their big talk, it was the same broadcast company SKY that took cricket away from FTA to behind paywalls .. & alienated masses from it

[@haydz7551]

Young (ish) cricket fan here. Whilst I payed a little attention before, it was really the 2019 World Cup where I started following cricket properly, followed shortly by the 2019 Ashes. I started off more interested in white ball but have become more interested in test cricket, perhaps owing to the Stokes/McCullum era. Perhaps I am one of the few but I find test cricket far more entertaining and look forward to it more than I do white ball. I still watch white ball, and I think it’s a brilliant way to get more people interested in cricket in general, but I would be gutted if test cricket was to end as a result of that. As always, love listening to these guys speak!

[@SrijanChakraborty]

i am an old millenial. I have grown up watching these greats play in the field. Test match cricket is the best vesion of cricket for me. I have witnessed WI greats like Jimmy Adams, C Walsh, C Ambrose, B Lara, Carl Hooper, among many many others. These players did not come from nothing. They all loved the game and their loved was shared by us all.

[@bidiptodatta3785]

Fantastic insights in here! Just fantastic!

[@Anuragmishra208]

When there is a discussion about saving test cricket,ipl becomes the scapegoat.why do they not mention other leagues as well .bcci is doing everything to promote test cricket here in india . england itself does not go Zimbabwe, westindies to play odi series and test cricket whereas india do travel a lot to these countries.i know the way ipl is expanding,it will creat lots of problem for test cricket going ahead but it is the players who r responsible for choosing ipl over test cricket and their nation.i love test cricket the most and i want it to flourish again❤.

[@CountSwagula24]

What an outstanding discussion?

[@JWIA67]

Easy solution: Countries become a lot more tight at giving players NOC's thus changing the balance of power

[@reeneljoseph]

Agree , it may work in some countries, also can push away players as well.

[@aswinsoundararajan2221]

Look what Jason Roy did

[@satyamawasthi2009]

Test cricket is definitely the toughest form of cricket and to revive it what can we do is... 1.create format specific teams i.e white ball and red ball format teams for each nation, incentives for red ball players must be increased and players must be financed to develop their skills by practicing in foreign soils. 2. Create some hype, have some script and let players get into some banters and bit of aggression , some cheeky statements etc. It all can be staged by asking players to play roles😅😅 controversies can hype up test matches..

[@64offsuiter]

Also, what about getting rid of toss and giving away team decision? Even the odds.

[@bebetomomin4557]

Its not test cricket is odi cricket that will fade away

[@keep_it_tidy56]

My word, Mike Atherton talks a lot of sense, he has a wonderful insight into this fantastic game of Test cricket.

[@michaelfraser6328]

I don’t agree when they make it an age thing about test cricket, i have been hooked on test cricket since the 2005 ashes series. The first test series i watched at the age of 10. Test cricket is the best format always will be. One day format is more of a toss of a coin, its too simplistic. You don’t need mental strength you don’t need to adapt to change. Test cricket covers everything within Professional sport. I think its not an age thing im still only 29 and have loved it since being 10. I think it's whether you're an hardcore fan or casual fan. I don’t know any hardcore fan that doesn't love test cricket. I also think the cricketers don’t have the chrisma or mental strength of back in the day besides a handful. Therefore they would rather take the easy money and play the easier format and look a million dollars on social media.

[@abhyashrajput]

Absolutely True,Test Cricket is a game of resilience,pure tactics and grit of an individual,i remember when test ccricket just made me jump out of bed when Stoksey played that Innings against Australia in Hedingley, a feeling of extravagance when India bambozeled England under 60 overs at Lord's and that tears when India demolished GABBA and sealed the series in Australia

[@chris2ollie]

I grew up on Test cricket and it will always be my favorite and truest form. There really need a level playing field, as a West Indian it is like having one hand tied behind your back

[@Rip_in_son]

I’ll never forget watching the ashes with my old boy seeing Mitch Johnson tear England up you only get that in test cricket.

[@charchitacharya9477]

As I see it as a 26 year old , there are 2 key factors required to "save" test cricket , Pitches and Characters.. unlike popular opinion , we do not need the skill of a Donald or a Trescothick , we need the attitude of a Flintoff , Stokes or Virat.. And no bowler of any country should be allowed to only play t20i cricket , dont give them the national side if they dont want to give their sweat to their country , if they dont make it to the test team , thats fine , they have to play first class cricket , after that they do what they wish Also monetarily , do not spend more on stadium facilities for spectators , just maintain the current level , the TV audience will be the only active audience in future for most sports

[@rj-fk7rf]

i’m just some guy from the US but test match cricket is what got me into cricket and that’s all i really follow (t20 doesn’t interest me, i watch one day matches occasionally). i hope it sticks around forever.

[@Alex-l6r9n]

What I’ve never understood about this debate on test match cricket is that everyone you ever talk to who watches cricket say they prefer test match cricket over shorter formats. People always say T20 is more popular but I just don’t buy it. Other than the IPL, I’m sure test cricket gets more views than other formats

[@note4g.airolinote4g.airoli96]

This is actually true. The only thing is most people are unable to keep their eyes on TV (or stream) or put their bums on seats for a whole day on a work day .. even if they keep tab of the scores all day around.

[@tomnicol8927]

it's cause it's a myth t20 is more popular it's just easier to make money from as it can be easier to sell tickets and easier to sell broadcast rights

[@note4g.airolinote4g.airoli96]

@@tomnicol8927 .. how can T20 popularity be a myth if it sells tickets & earns handsomely from broadcasting rights ? Yeah, T20 is mostly crap & not cricket .. but that does not mean it is not popular

[@gunner4life568]

@@Alex-l6r9n that is not true there is a reason why TV companies are thirsty for more T20 cricket it's because of viewership and also besides England all Test playing countries hardly fill the stadium when Test match is on but it is always full when T20 is played .e.g when last did WI and SA fill the stadium when a Test match is on besides when England is visiting?

[@robertmckinnon6564]

I went to a T20 game at Trent Bridge this year and the ground was about a quarter full. Ten years ago it would have been packed. Mind you the weather was a bit crap.

[@thomascain309]

Nasser is absolutely brilliant. Gotta be one of the top pundits across all sports, articulates himself perfectly. And for what it’s worth, Test Cricket is the best form of the game, always has been and always will be.

[@abhishek_kothari]

I think WTC format needs to be changed. Instead of just having a final, we can also include semi finals so that more teams are involved.

[@aniket385]

Yes or a best of 3 format

[@abhishek_kothari]

@@aniket385 no. Semi final is ideal.

[@sentimentalbloke185]

The major problem for test cricket is the slow over rates. They need to do better. More night matches would help, too. These are things that can be done with some will to do them.

[@Jaydoggie1]

Ironically since the start of the WTC Australia have gone away from producing home friendly pitches and produced slow awful pitches baring Perth

[@7ChaosBlack]

Australia's pitches for the best part of 2 decades have been flat. The old WACA and Gabba being exceptions.

[@ramtejmusic]

okay atheron is talking about shamar's documentary again, where do i find it??

[@mcfch9625]

It's called the Boy from Baracara but I don't know if you can watch it if you're abroad. If you're in the UK you need Sky as it's under the Cricket section on the Sky box.

[@thejelbinator]

We need windows in the international calendar where only test match cricket is played. No franchise tournaments for 2 blocks of 6 weeks per year.

[@thiruvetti]

The recent INdia vs Bazball of Eng was awesome watching experience. Its just that only 3 teams are able to keep churning good players.

[@aaronfarley14]

Test match cricket 🏏 is the purest form of the game and I said the day T/20 was introduced that a different generation growing up with hit and giggle don’t have the care of the game.Those recent series in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 against India and New Zealand and the Ashes were the best cricket to watch because they’re played on grounds with different characteristics unlike Australia 🇦🇺 with drop in pitches played at AFL football grounds where the pitches are now almost identical!!!

[@shamus3477]

Literally just watched a t20 / odi world cups respectively and the grounds were empty maybe its time to talk about the state of those formats. The rules of those formats heavily favour batsmen

[@neranjanjayaruwan6007]

Test match is what real cricket is feel sad as no longer able to watch whole 5 days on the couch as we are now working and pretty little time for chill

[@lona9993]

Excellent analysis from these three gentlemen.

[@kingdeutsch2790]

This was a great conversation.

[@ianferrier3702]

Can't remember any t20 anywhere at anytime. That says it all yet I remember test matches vividly 30 years rs ago

[@Thewalkingdead2222]

This is called as real conversation.

[@russking7775]

Nas at 7:00 saying about test matches being for middle aged men. It's the ticket prices putting off the younger people. Hundred tickets are £15 for adults £5 for kids. Looking at £150 for a the same for a test match

[@HR-3]

Nass Hussain spot on

[@sharmafitness2109]

Amazing analysis. Let’s save test cricket.

[@harisht45]

Test cricket is the only cricket where balance between bat and ball is being maintained. Pls prepare good pitches.

[@jag7914]

Disagree whole heartedly. Test cricket is not dying. India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand still love test cricket. Nasser is probably right about it being a generation game

[@circle1552]

Test Match Cricket is fantastic. I know we're bottom of the Test Championship but the ICC dumb deductions of 'slow over rate' is stupid. I love watching test cricket as I don't find it dull or boring.

[@rambhattacharjee1850]

Excusitive discussion , superb ❤❤❤❤

[@Harman.17]

The two best forms of this great art (for cricket is not only a sport, but a higher art of sorts), is test and then ODI. Both of these formats test the batsman and bowlers. With the proliferation of T20 leagues, the very soul of the sport is being ripped apart. There are certain things in society that we have a duty to protect and save for the following generations. Some examples of this are classical music, traditional architecture, proper etiquette and the like. The art of test cricket needs to be treated in the same manner. We owe it to the lovers of the sport who came before us and for those who have not yet been born.

[@swirvefrance]

Watching a Test Match fast bowler working batsmen over during a hostile spell is the most compelling sight in cricket. It must endure.

[@mahekshah3589]

Home friendly tracks? Probably aimed at India. After the last India Vs. England series, this view should be put to bed. Those pitches were as good as any visiting team to India ever got. Btw the reason why Australia and England don’t need to doctor a pitch is cause Australian pitches are naturally fast and England has the weather to back them up. Point being none of those two need to bother about the pitch. In my opinion the big X factor that has led to England, India and Australia being successful in Tests has been the sheer drive to be successful in tests. These nations have had crusaders for this format - Pat Cummins, Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes have all prioritised test matches both through words and actions. To further underline my point - Newzealand, a nation with fraction of resources were the first winners of the test championship cause their leader Kane Williamson is an advocate of test cricket.

[@ummershafi3904]

Great commentary team....Nasser hussain is looking nice.....see you soon in Karachi InshAllah......🙂

[@robt5539]

T20 matches are forgotten in a few days. Test matches are remembered forever. It is the ultimate test of ability, mentality, stamina and character. That's why it's called Test match cricket.

[@GabeRutherfordFitness]

When nas talks about age then I’d genuinely like to see the average age. I’m 26 and can’t stand T20. By the time you sit down then it’s over. 11-6pm and a full day out with your mates, dad, grandpa watching some of the most iconic test match moments. I saw root bowl warner out 3rd ball only a few weeks after he jumped him. The whole place erupted it. Test cricket will always be the greatest format. End of discussion