The charm of Test Cricket

I don’t remember a time when I was not fascinated by Test cricket. Cricket in it’s other forms, yes – vacillating when it came to One Day Internationals, a resolute when it came to 20-20s. But a test match played between two of the best internationally matched teams ? An unhesitating yes.

The most visualising aspect regarding the longer format is a perfect competition between the bat and the ball. Both the batsman and bowler try to outdo each other. It’s basically a test of patience, physical strength and mental stability.

Imagine time travelling to the 16th century and picture yourself as one who wore white clothes and playing a game using a red cherry and wooden timber. Yes, the origin of cricket traces way back to that period where white people used to play the game in their leisure time.

No one then would have ever thought that this game will come so far, that it would evolve from timeless Test matches to T20 cricket, successfully completing close to 143 years of its official existence. The action in coloured clothes might be exciting, but its Test Cricket that still fascinates one and all.

When it comes to batting in Test match conditions this quote by the legendary Sunil Gavaskar is very appropriate as far as batting in Test Cricket is concerned. “Give the first hour to the bowlers and the next five hours will be yours” – It requires immense levels of concentration, determination, patience, passion and temperament.” You have to play each ball according to its merit and there are no easy runs. With a sporting pitch, good bowlers, long boundaries and no field restrictions and the numbers of overs a bowler can bowl, it is the ultimate test of your character as a batsman. The next major challenge for a Test batsman is to be able to bat in all conditions and against diverse bowling attacks. Thus, all these qualities make a good Test batsman, a class apart as compared to those in limited overs cricket where the conditions are tailor-made for batting.

As far as bowling is concerned ‘Who says Cricket is a batsman’s game? You can’t win a Test match unless you take those 20 wickets.’ The above sentence itself describes the importance of a bowling unit in Test match cricket. Four slips, Two gullies, a short leg and a silly point. With a skilful pacer steaming in while the batsman pushes and prods nervously. The sight of a bowler, a quick or a spinner, terrorising the batsman is something that generations of cricket lovers have savoured. Yes, we love to see a batsman flamboyantly driving the ball to the cover boundary. But the delight is multiplied when it is against such attacking bowling and fielding. short, Test cricket provides room for a thrilling clash between the personas of batsman and bowler.

The main challenge for the bowler is to keep himself fit, energetic and enthusiastic as he has to bowl long spells. Test cricket is all about bowling long spells and giving your 100% everytime. In Test Cricket you have to keep looking for taking wickets all the time.

Captaincy is 90% luck & 10% skill but never ever try it, if you don’t have that 10% skill,” the quote by Richie Benaud says it all. Captaincy in Test cricket is challenging because a captain must be proactive with his decisions on and off the field which leave a long-lasting impact, going beyond the five days of action. You can’t play a waiting game for too long as a captain. As a leader of the team, you must make things happen. Many a time, after long hours out on the field, fielders start dropping their shoulders and a captain, in such a scenario, should inspire his team-mates and rejuvenate them.

The other major factor that players have to come across in a Test match is mental ability. In this regard, the support staff plays an important role. Playing for five days on the trot drains you physically as well as mentally and one should be strong in both aspects to deliver the goods.

Thus, as a Test cricketer, mental toughness is what you must possess most to become successful.

Finally, from my perspective, Test cricket resembles life. There will be ups and downs throughout the course of life and Test cricket offers various challenges at different instants of time throughout the course of five days.

I feel ‘test cricket’ and ‘life’ have some common factors. Test cricket is not just a game. You win, you lose, you settle for a draw, that one ends and another ‘Test’ begins as fresh as the previous one.

Every match feels like a new one. New condition, different pitches which have no comparison with the previous ones. Every player has to rethink his strategy. Opposition comes with different tactics.

Similarly in life, you will get problems, you solve, you fail, or you compromise; next day you have fresh, new problem which you have never experienced. You have to approach each problem in different way.

Like in test cricket you get second opportunity in life, but not favourable as first one. Perseverance, hard work, smart work, endurance, acceptance of conditions, will power to not give up, calmness etc. can be observed in test cricket. Which are also necessary qualities for a successful life

Test cricket defeats the impositions of the day- time, money, spectacle. it keeps the special special. Not every match has a result. Not every result is exciting. Boundaries are not guaranteed. Nor are runs. Wickets may not fall. Not every match reaches an edge-of-the-seat climax. Some just wither away pathetically. Dreariness claims its assigned place in our lives. Entertainment is not granted status as a fundamental right.

Who says Test Cricket is on the death bed? In recent months we’ve seen the revival of Test cricket and India vs England. The Ashes have been a sublime proof of the same. Test cricket is not much appreciated by youngsters in today’s day, but the charm that it holds is beyond words.

Use things, not people

Honestly, when did the world become so selfish? It seems like as a human race we’ve completely forgotten that other people have feelings. We are so wrapped up and concerned with ourselves that we literally don’t give a damn if someone else is getting hurt because of our words or actions.

We completely forget that the people on the other end of our spiteful attitudes are other humans. Other humans with feelings, emotions, families and struggles. Most of our behavior is created out of emotions and selfishness, and it’s kind of getting old.

There are hundreds of different ways to use another human being. From bosses using employees, to a friend using his/her friend for getting work done, there’s no denying that it happens daily, and no matter what, it’s not healthy.

There’s a lot of people out there that are just givers. They can’t say no and that gets taken advantage of. These beautiful souls will spend all their time and money just to please. It’s heartbreaking that this kindness can be a bad thing. Because when the user gets a taste of the giver’s amity, often times they will proceed to walk all over them time and time again.

People start ‘talking’ to someone new because they’re lonely. They go into the ‘relationships’ with no intentions of sticking around, they’re just talking to that person until it stops being easy, convenient and fun. Or they stick around until someone better comes around. They never stop for a second and think, “you know what, maybe I shouldn’t talk to this person because I’m temporarily lonely and I’ll only end up hurting them.” No one thinks like that.

You go to any lengths to keep yourselves from feeling left out and lonely. You stay in someone’s life until you’ve found a better alternative, friend or partner, to spend the next few minutes with, and leave once you find someone even better. You feel entitled. For once, stop and look back at what you’re leaving behind and what your actions have resulted into.

People have become so prided on the “I don’t give a damn attitude” that it’s harder to know who is actually genuine these days, which is sad, honestly.

What it really boils down to in my mind is selfishness.

People are so selfish these days. We brag about the crap we have, we brag about our accomplishments, we want pats on the back and validation from people we don’t even give a damn about. We post photos that make us look like we’re living awesome lives, we take and take and take and we give as little as possible. We use people that we think can help get us ahead. We become self-obsessed monsters and we don’t care who we hurt in the way as long as we’re satisfied.

We use people and we don’t care if they’re hurting or feeling broken as long as we can get what we need from them. We might fake it but at the core, most of us don’t care. Instead, we’re just concerned with ourselves and what we can get out of the situation.

Don’t string people along with no intentions of being there for them when they need you. Don’t dig your claws into someone then push them when they’re down. Don’t weasel your way into someone’s live when you can tell their vulnerable just to get some information.

It’s time to stop using other people because you’re selfish. Seriously. Think of someone else before yourself next time and how your actions could affect them. Hate to break it to you but you’re not the only one with feelings, emotions or needs – you’re not the only one who matters.

It is unfair that self-regarding people are always up for pats on their backs but never in the mood for returning the favour. While we know it’s hard to change habits overnight, it’s a request that you at least try to refrain from doing things that will potentially hurt the people around you. Own up to your wrongdoings, in general, and quit using other people for your comfort. Respecting others’ feelings can be rewarding. Try it.