Beautifully written. I remember Bourda in Georgetown hosting first or the second test of a five match series in the 90s and early 2000s. Also remember those days when South Africa and West Indies used to play a 5 match test series both home and abroad in 1998-1999 and 2001. This test match pitch was good for the sport. Sporting wicket it has everything for everyone. I wish there was a third test in Jamaica. Jamaica has not hosted a test in a while.
Thank you, Aditya. I'm the days of five Test series have now gone for every team outside the 'big three'. But we can still dare to dream that three-Test series might make a comeback, but only (I think) if we accept that we have to compromise and schedule them as four-day Tests from Thursday to Sunday, then we can fit three Tests into three weeks.
Really enjoyed this one:) it is kind of sad to think of things passing away, like the Georgetown hotel, although there's a certain elegiac beauty about that.
This Test really was exciting! Hopefully some solution can be found to draw more people's attention:)
I too found the test compelling viewing. Far better than the fireworks, smoke and dancing girls of the gag inducing IPL for example. But then again I am old.
Manners, I love your podcast on the Talksport YouTube channel which you do alongside "double ashes winner" and "former England fast bowler" Steve Harmison. You should write about the podcast too. But, you got the prediction wrong about the Providence as you said the wicket would be similar to Port of Spain.
Ha! Ha! Everybody was blindsided by the pitch at the Providence, even the West Indies team! Suffice to say it was unprecedented, even at first-class level. I think they should probably leave a little more grass on it in future, it provided a fabulous game...a fast moving Test match is usually a very good Test match, no?
Indeed, a sporting wicket with good bowling attack is good for test cricket providing entertainment and an even contest between bat and ball. But, draws should not be out of the window otherwise what is the purpose playing test match cricket.
Excellent article thanks Neil. Really enjoyed this test series. Exciting finish too. Great pity stands were almost empty. I didn't watch a single ball of 'the hundred' nor IPL this year. Just so pointless, sorry ICC. ;) I will attend the SA20 though. Yes, being able to follow ball-by-ball on 'Google' etc. does make for 'free viewing' and I didn't contribute to the fiscal sustainability of cricket. Wow, a morning run of potentially 250km sounds amazing, ha ha.
Beautifully written. I remember Bourda in Georgetown hosting first or the second test of a five match series in the 90s and early 2000s. Also remember those days when South Africa and West Indies used to play a 5 match test series both home and abroad in 1998-1999 and 2001. This test match pitch was good for the sport. Sporting wicket it has everything for everyone. I wish there was a third test in Jamaica. Jamaica has not hosted a test in a while.
Thank you, Aditya. I'm the days of five Test series have now gone for every team outside the 'big three'. But we can still dare to dream that three-Test series might make a comeback, but only (I think) if we accept that we have to compromise and schedule them as four-day Tests from Thursday to Sunday, then we can fit three Tests into three weeks.
Really enjoyed this one:) it is kind of sad to think of things passing away, like the Georgetown hotel, although there's a certain elegiac beauty about that.
This Test really was exciting! Hopefully some solution can be found to draw more people's attention:)
I guess most things in life have a finite existence. I'm just delighted I was able to stay there - twice. :)
Please can l have your autograpohs & newsleters
"And the morning runs along the seawall, all 250+ kilometres of it"
Manners - that's quite a morning run!!!
I too found the test compelling viewing. Far better than the fireworks, smoke and dancing girls of the gag inducing IPL for example. But then again I am old.
Keep up the good work.
Manners, I love your podcast on the Talksport YouTube channel which you do alongside "double ashes winner" and "former England fast bowler" Steve Harmison. You should write about the podcast too. But, you got the prediction wrong about the Providence as you said the wicket would be similar to Port of Spain.
Ha! Ha! Everybody was blindsided by the pitch at the Providence, even the West Indies team! Suffice to say it was unprecedented, even at first-class level. I think they should probably leave a little more grass on it in future, it provided a fabulous game...a fast moving Test match is usually a very good Test match, no?
Indeed, a sporting wicket with good bowling attack is good for test cricket providing entertainment and an even contest between bat and ball. But, draws should not be out of the window otherwise what is the purpose playing test match cricket.
Fascinating, love your insights
As a kid growing up in Durban, my Dad always talked about High Tayfield. Now Keshav has broken his record I think?
Excellent article thanks Neil. Really enjoyed this test series. Exciting finish too. Great pity stands were almost empty. I didn't watch a single ball of 'the hundred' nor IPL this year. Just so pointless, sorry ICC. ;) I will attend the SA20 though. Yes, being able to follow ball-by-ball on 'Google' etc. does make for 'free viewing' and I didn't contribute to the fiscal sustainability of cricket. Wow, a morning run of potentially 250km sounds amazing, ha ha.