India-Pakistan

[Miles Cooper]

honestbharani.

As always mate, your point is well made. I think you are most probably right about the money issue but do believe that the one day game is, certainly in Sri Lanka, more popular than Tests.

[Nikhil]

Originally Posted by Miles Cooper

honestbharani.

As always mate, your point is well made. I think you are most probably right about the money issue but do believe that the one day game is, certainly in Sri Lanka, more popular than Tests.

Miles,

It is sickening to see the dearth of crowds for test matches in Pakistan and SL. Imagine how great it would have been had both Warne and Murali crossed their 500 wickets in front of jam-packed stadia.

Sometime back I read in cricinfo that the public in Pakistan take the match fixing issue very seriously. They think the matches are mostly fixed and that's why they prefer not to go for the matches. But then ODI's are more likely to be fixed than tests, so that makes no sense either.

Again the matches are mostly in summer. The heat in these parts is unbearable in summer. The stadia aren't covered. Most stands are open. Therefore people prefer to watch the match in comfort from their home, with the TV's providing numerous action replays and all that stuff.

[Miles Cooper]

Nikhil, yup, your points about match fixing (especially in Pak - and I mean no offence by that) and the intense heat in uncovered stands are extremely valid. Don't you agree though that the One Day game is, as far as many people are concerned, more exciting? This could also be an explanation for the above. Personally I prefer the longer version of the game, but then, I don't often pay to go and see Tests!

[Nikhil]

Personally, test cricket is my favour. But I do agree. ODI's are more exciting for most people who take cricket just for fun.

I asked quite a few novices what they like, and the answer almost always was ODI's. Well, I think that sort of makes sense when you don't have to be patient and get result in the same day. Add to the it the colour and glamour associated with ODI's.

But all seasoned folks were for tests and that too makes sense, where you get to see real cricket, not just slam-bang-wallop.

[honestbharani]

Miles,

You are right. Obviously, people who don't have too much money for cricket will tend to use whatever money they have to watch the ODIs as it guarantees you seeing all your favourite players performing... Like if you like Sachin, you are guaranteed to see him bat and if you like Kumble, you are guaranteed to see him bowl..... But like most people here, Test cricket is the real test, I think and I won't mind watching a test over a ODI if it is played in the right way.

[Miles Cooper]

Well guys, it seems clear that we are in agreement - we three would prefer to watch a 5 days Test than an ODI. I think that the fact that there can be so many twists and turns in Tests is what does it for me - you get the full range of cricketing experience. I am off to Galle in August to watch the Test with South Africa - which should be a cracker.