That’s why it’s called Test cricket!

The skills required to excel in the longest form of the game need to be acquired at a young age and then honed in tough competition as the player rises through the grades

The addition of The Hundred to cricket’s extensive array of formats should concern players because of the adverse effect the unwieldy schedule has on one of the game’s most important aspects - player development.

For decades, the best way for a player to progress from a schoolboy to an international cricketer was a straightforward path. Play as many matches as possible at a young age and when success was achieved at one level, it was time for promotion to a higher grade. The player either hit a ceiling that was their limit or they reached the pinnacle with the skills acquired to provide them with a decent chance of achieving success.

This productive system has been severely diluted in the prime pursuit of revenue, with little thought given to the effect on the players’ skills.

Kohli’s correct observation

In a revealing and thoughtful interview during the Trent Bridge match, the poster boy for Test cricket, Virat Kohli, made an interesting observation. When asked about the murky future of the game’s longest form, Kohli replied; “It depends on the quality of cricket; it’s the players who keep Test cricket alive.”

This being the case, the players should want more say in the future direction of the game.

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Instead of devising more formats, which in turn results in an absurdly cluttered schedule, there needs to be rationalisation in order to produce a blueprint for the game’s future. A much-needed forum on this subject should include a wide range of participants; players, administrators, media, sponsors, medical people and the public.

The first question should be is, how many forms of the game allow a workable schedule that provides player and fan satisfaction, along with ample revenue?

Streamlined version

If it’s decided Test cricket is part of the game’s future, then a decision needs to be made on what form it takes to best fit into modern society. After all, it’s better to have a streamlined version than no Test cricket.

It’s hard for the modern player to maintain the standard Kohli is referring to when you look at the schedule. While the battle for the Pataudi Trophy is in progress, any potential England call-up is involved in one of the following competitions; The Hundred, the T20 Vitality Blast or the Royal London Cup 50 over matches.

Not a red-ball game in sight and yet Test cricket, at least according to the majority of players and administrators, is the game’s pinnacle.

During a Test series in Australia the situation isn’t much different. An Australian player has to press his claims through the Big Bash T20 tournament.

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That’s two countries with a reasonably strong first-class competition. What chance do the lesser nations have when their potential Test players either have a weak first-class competition or none at all in which to hone the required skills?

It’s often said, players have improved. The comment needs clarification. If the reference is to batsmen being more powerful hitters, then it’s true. Are they better equipped to navigate tough spells of bowling for a long period? In most cases the answer is an emphatic, no.

It’s the same when people profess, fielding has improved. There’s no doubt the number of athletic catches in the outfield has increased and they’re often spectacular in their execution. Has slip catching improved? Most definitely not. The bulk of the regularly spilt chances occur because of one simple footwork flaw and yet it remains un-corrected.

The skills required to excel at Test level need to be acquired at a young age and then honed in tough competition as the player rises through the grades. This can only be achieved if enough countries have a functional development system. If this is the case then Test cricket can remain vibrant, otherwise it will whither on the vine.
If those skills are properly honed then a player can adapt to any length of game, Kohli being a good example. If players truly believe Test cricket is the pinnacle then they need to agitate for a summit on the game’s future; they could do no better than appoint Kohli their spokesperson.

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