Sachin Tendulkar feels interesting tracks can revive Test cricket
What's the story
Test cricket is being challenged every day with the aura for T20s gaining a stronghold. The ICC has therefore introduced the World Test Championship to revive the longest format. It remains to be seen how Tests find a way in modern-day cricket. Meanwhile, Sachin Tendulkar has revealed one way for Tests to prosper. Here's what the legend opined.
Interesting tracks
Tendulkar feels interesting tracks are the way forward
Tendulkar played 200 Tests for India in his career and amassed 15,921 runs. He was a true legend of the game. Tendulkar highlighted that interesting tracks need to be prepared largely to make Test cricket interesting. This should be the norm for the ICC and the organizers. He also cited an example of The Ashes 2019 to present his case.
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Flat and dead tracks will see Tests battling challenges: Tendulkar
"I think Test cricket is going to revive if we produce interesting tracks, but if the tracks are flat and dead then Test cricket is going to find its challenges," said the legendary cricketer.
Surface
Surface determines Test cricket, says Tendulkar
"The heart of Test cricket is the kind of surface that you play on. If you provide good pitches, cricket cannot be boring, cricket cannot be damp, and (there will always) be those exciting moments, exciting bowling spells, great batting and that is what people want to see," Tendulkar added.
Ashes 2019
Ashes 2019 has seen brilliant tracks on offer
The Ashes 2019 series in England has seen some brilliant tracks being produced that made things easier to relate to. The Edgbaston Test swung one way and the other to keep fans hooked. The second Test at Lord's was a delight to watch the battle between Jofra Archer and Steve Smith. The ongoing third Test at Headingley is also set for a grand finish.
Essentials
Ashes 2019 has presented the essentials of Test cricket
In Test cricket, it's essential to see plenty of things happening. The Ashes has presented the same. There have been low scores on offer, besides batsmen batting sensibly getting those substantial big scores. The battle between bat and ball has livened up the scene. Tendulkar highlighted the Archer-Smith duel that got viewers hooked. Archer, in particular, got things moving against the unstoppable Smith.
Lord's Test
Tendulkar cites Lord's Test as the perfect example
"Smith got injured unfortunately, that was a big blow to him but Test cricket was exciting when Archer challenged him, it suddenly became exciting and the focus shifted to Tests," said Tendulkar. He also highlighted the final day of the match at Lord's. "England picked those wickets and Australia had to survive. Test cricket suddenly became exciting and that is how it should be."
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Test Championship not enough to revive interest: Tendulkar
"I know this Test World Championship has been announced but even to have this World Championship, you got to make cricket interesting, just by having another championship, cricket is not going to get interesting," he said.