Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Nizzleson t1_jabbgrx wrote

Reply to comment by moondog548 in New Zealand defeat England by 1 run in the 2nd Test Match at Wellington by IntoThePeople

A test match is the longest, oldest, and most demanding format of Cricket.

In more modern versions of the game, teams bat through their batting order only once each, and there is a limit to how many legal balls can be bowled at the batters. So it's a very linear game. Team A bats, then team B bats and tries to beat their score. Pretty simple.

But in Test Cricket, there is no limit on how many balls the batters can face and each team bats through their order twice. Batters can play very defensively, scoring slowly, without taking risks.

Bowlers and fielders have to constantly up their strategy game to counter this defensive batting.

But here's the thing: To win a test, you have to:

A) Score more runs than the other team, and...

B) Get the other team completely out, TWICE. If any batter is still batting at the end of the 5th day, it's a draw, no matter how many runs ahead they are.

The ball is kept in play for a long time, and as it deteriorates, strategy changes. The surface the ball bounces off of deteriorates too, influencing the strategy. Players are physically and mentally fucked after 5 days, so this effects everything too.

It's a densely layered game, and in this particular case, those 5 days boiled down to one measly run amongst hundreds scored in the match.

As close as it can possibly get.

All this after NZ was basically out for the count in the first two days.

Really fucking cool sport. The original form of the game, and days like today prove it's still the best sport in the world for nail-biting drama.

Rant over. Peace.

29

Bob_tuwillager t1_jabq0h5 wrote

It’s the only game I know where a team with no wickets left on the last day trailing by hundreds of runs blocking everything and batting through is exciting. When a draw is a psychological win. It’s a magic thing.

14

Nizzleson t1_jabrlab wrote

Two tailenders digging in until stumps, riding their luck and their grit and their nerve.

Increasingly desperate bowling. Five slips and a gully, leg slip, silly point, silly mid on.

That ratchet of tension. The seeds of legend being sown.

Hero partnership closes out the game with 7 (62) and 1 (26).

Absolutely. Epic.

8

kfadffal t1_jabv4ei wrote

Add in things like umpires pulling out a light meter after every over so you don't even know which over will be the last.

It's a very silly game at times and I absolutely love it to death.

5

Bob_tuwillager t1_jabsa0a wrote

Or one “batter” who has somehow held his nerve for two days, and the #11. Bowlers trying to rotate the strike early in the over desperate to get the lackie on strike. The Batter going for a single at the end of the over. The fielding team knowing this and tempting an open boundary. Belligerence and stubbornness. The pressure slowly mounting on both teams as the third spell begins. Dare they dream to hold the wicket. Every bowl could be the last. The crowd sense the blood. It’s almost as if everyone is willing the “losing” side on. Every dot ball is cheered. No one cares for a boundary.

It’s a weird sport at times.

4

Nizzleson t1_jabshqm wrote

Felt my pulse rise just reading that.

Are you a great talent, or is a tense draw merely a great muse?

We may never know.

3

moondog548 t1_jabd0hi wrote

So cool.

How long do they play per day?

4

Ajaxcricket t1_jabd70t wrote

Usually 6 to 6 and a half hours of playing time, with a 40 and a 20 minute break after 2 and 4 hours respectively

3

pie-en-argent t1_jabdcxc wrote

Six hours, weather permitting. With breaks of 40 and 20 minutes dividing it into three two-hour sessions.

2

lezbillion t1_jacp3nh wrote

Honestly, best succinct explanation of a Test match I've seen in a while

3