Arguing why the new point system is not the best option to revive test cricket.
After winning the test series England lead the super series 16-4
When
things tend to go wrong, nothing much appears too bright. Just look at
England, especially this week and this adage is vindicated.
This
week has been a rather haphazard one for England. First, the referendum
that forced the much vaunted Brexit, and then the colossal upset to
Iceland in the Euros. Amidst all the doom and gloom, cricket has been holding its own (although the gloomy English weather has threatened to play spoilsport).
The young, revamped England
One Day International side has been marching all over Sri Lanka and is
dishing out one dominating performance after another. They had their
moments of embarrassment too in the 2015 World Cup but have since mended
their ways with some aplomb.
The innings of Jason Roy
epitomised the new free spirit that has seeped into England, and no
wonder the team is brimming with confidence. In a rather innocuous way,
they offer hope to the rest of the country that if wise heads come
together and plan and foresee with conviction, the distant light at the
end of the tunnel can be attained.
Andrew Strauss, the director of
England has been the brains behind this transformation. He assumed
charge during a very difficult period but has turned things around with
his pragmatic approach. In connivance with Trevor Bayliss, Strauss has
transformed the mundane and stoic English cricket to a much more vibrant
outfit. Credit should be given where it is due!
Strauss is also
the brain behind the point system which is in place for the ongoing
series against Sri Lanka. He believed, and he is justified to a great
extent that introducing a point system will add much context and fervour
to a bilateral series. There will be cynics around who will jump at any
moment and criticise any new development, but the introduction of the
point system was without a doubt a novel concept.
However, even
after 3 test-matches, and 4 ODIs, this system has not won any accolades
with the fans. Perhaps, this is one blip which needs more introspection.
In many ways, this system might just devalue the worth of Test Cricket
in the future. And this is where the aberration lies. All this
experimentation and new changes are primarily aimed at engaging with the
audience, but then is it serving the purpose?
Test Matches undermined?
Test
matches and test victories will any day be of much greater importance
than an ODI victory, but according to the current point system, a Test
victory is undermined in many ways. Factor this, a test victory yields 4
points and victories in One Dayers and T20 is worth 2 points. Hence, if
a team wins a 3-match Test Series 1-0, and goes on to lose the
subsequent 5-match series 4-1. The series will then be tied at 8 points
each and just like that a test series win is undermined.
If the
series is played between Sri Lanka and Australia, and Sri Lanka win the
Test Series which is a significant achievement, will be of no avail by
the end of the tour! This does no justice to the worth of a Test
Victory, and this fact is just what the doctor did not order for Test
Cricket.
Test cricket is and should be the pinnacle of all formats
and nothing should rob its glory. In the current scenario, we are
compromising on the longer format and perhaps this is why the fans have
not yet taken to the concept. Also, if a team wins the first Test Match
it becomes very difficult for the opposition to play catch up in the
rest of the tour.
And then what happens when the Ashes comes
around. Historically England have not done very well in the ODI series
which follow the Ashes triumph. They win the Test Matches and then go on
to lose the subsequent limited overs leg. No one remembers the ODI
defeats, but if the point system remains intact it will, by all means,
take the sheen out of the test triumphs.
“I believe you have to
look at giving every match context. If it is a case of just another Test
match or just another five-ODI series between two nations, it loses
some of its context and some of its meaning and that is something the
ICC needs to look at. I personally think there is scope in linking up
Test, ODI and T20 cricket in some sort of bigger world championship that
involves all three formats. It’s an idea I’ve been a fan of for a long
time", Strauss said.
He sounds right, the plans seem to be in the
right vein, but when implemented it may not have too many takers because
of the massive loopholes prevalent. Nothing should ever erode the
sanctity of Test Cricket, and this points system in a very uncanny
manner is doing exactly that. Perhaps a further tweak is needed!
CREDIT TO:http://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/reviewing-the-effectiveness-of-the-points-system-in-place-worth-the-hype
AUSSIE
RULES -- Dan Christian, the Australian all-rounder who captains Notts
Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast side. (PHOTO BY: Simon Trafford) 
Ben Cox has scored 3,344 runs and claimed 251 dismissals in all cricket for Worcestershire
CREDIT TO:
While cupid struck on the basketball court, in 2011, it was Pratima’s
elder sister Divya Singh, who requested Ishant Sharma to attend a
basketball match organised by her and be the chief guest. (Photo:
Facebook)
Virat Kohli (Picture Credit: Getty Images)
England's Jason Roy celebrates reaching his century during the One Day
International against Sri Lanka at the Oval in London, Wednesday June
29, 2016. (Simon Cooper/PA via AP)
Coaches Archie Durie and Jimmy Stewart with Shahzman Parnez and James Sweeney at the Hull Box Cup
