"The greatest game of cricket ever played"

[Red-Indian]

You get that in Test Matches thesedays. I've seen some really good finishes, lately. Even the ones we lost in Pakistan, we're all exciting on the 5th day. But the Ashes were brilliant, great contest throughout the five days. Probably the best series I've seen. I think it could be equalled, aslong as games are played on good wickets. Ironically, it's probably the one day game, that's made Test matches more explosive. Batsmen go out to make big runs, and it's reflected in the average runs per over in Tests. When I was young games used to average 2.5 an over. Nowadays it's around 4. This is the reason why there are a lot more results in test matches, as well. Going back to your point, I'd like to see attacking bowlers rewarded in one day cricket. But I just can't see it happening. As for England, Test Matches here are always sold out. . .just like the one dayers, so I think the core still prefers the proper five day stuff. But from what I've seen in Asia, only Faisalabad was sold out. The other Pakistani venues didn't attract big crowds. And Nagpur and Mohali have been just as bad. I really think something has to be done in that part of world.

Agreed. One-day cricket has definitely helped test cricket. The ozzies started breaking some of the traditional scoring rules and now its really par for the course. I personally make no apologies for enjoying watching the likes of Pietersen, Sehwag and Symonds playing tests. I thoroughly appreciate a Dravid or a Kallis but even the most fanatic cricket purist is lying if he says he's seen every ball of a double or triple by one of them. On the other hand, I don't think I missed one ball of Sehwag's triple on our tour to Pakistan the last time.

The Ashes was easily the best series i've ever seen and series like those have getting reasonably frequent of late. Our tour to Australia was nailbiting cricket as well.

As far as attendances go, yes they are falling. I recently walked in and bought a ticket at the turnstiles to the India-SL test in Delhi on an India batting day - after the day's play had started, which would've been unthinkable a few years back. But it doesn't worry me much. TV rights still sell for humongous amounts and people follow the matches keenly. That'll do for me. I don't think its going to affect revenues anytime soon.

On the whole, i'd say its looking good for test cricket. With the ozzies weakening, 3-4 teams teams are going to be more or less at the same level which I think will make for some fascinating cricket over the next few years. I'm looking forward to it.