5 reasons why modern day Tests produce more results

The longest format of the game, Test cricket, over the years, has witnessed a drastic change from the way it was first played. The percentage of Tests ending in results was very less compared to the Tests in recent years and even with timeless Tests, many ended in draws.

Earlier, there wasn’t too much aggressive cricket and batsmen used to bat for as long as they wished to play for. The push for results was not as aggressive as it is today and hence, most games ended without a result with both teams piling on the runs.

But in the modern era, the game has changed and the mindset of the players is pretty different from those in the old times.

Here are the possible reasons why Tests these days produce more results than those from the previous eras:

---

#1 Increased scoring-rate, an impact of T20 cricket

Players like David Warner can take a game away from the opposition in just one session

In the previous eras, batsmen had the patience to survive for days and could bat out phases of the game without even scoring a run and hence, the run rates were pretty low. Batsmen of yesteryear did not mind playing out continuous maiden overs and the big shots were minimal.

The advent of ODI cricket and T20 cricket has turned the mindset of the batsmen, who are constantly in the hunt for runs. The number of maiden overs has reduced considerably and the run-rates have gotten higher.

Today, the run-rates of over 3 are quite common and teams at times score more than 4 runs an over. Scores of 300 runs in a day are achieved easily and set batsmen are capable of scoring more than 100 runs in a session.

Batsmen like Virender Sehwag, David Warner, and AB de Villiers have completely revolutionised Test cricket as they don’t mind taking the aerial route to score quick runs. The increased scoring-rates result in the games ending inside 5 days more often than not.

#2 Increased number of LBWs

No of dismissals by LBWs have increased

Umpires earlier were reluctant to declare the batsmen out LBW if they had any doubts in the mind and the benefit of the doubt used to go in the favour of the batsmen. Not too many umpires send the batsman back if he had a long stride forward even if the ball was adjacent to the stumps.

The batsmen were adjudged out LBW only if they were plumb in front of the stumps. But today, the umpires have started ruling in favour of the bowlers if the ball does enough to satisfy all the criteria.

Even if the batsman has dragged his front foot out and the ball strikes within the line of the stumps, he is given out by the umpire more often.

The introduction of DRS (Decision Review System) has also increased the number of decisions of LBWs going in favour of the bowler. If the umpire makes a mistake, the fielding side has the luxury to send it upstairs and if the third umpire finds conclusive evidence, he can overturn the decision.

#3 Batting techniques against spin/seam

Batsmen with dodgy technique are found out in alien conditions

While the batsmen of modern days are equipped with technique to score quick runs, they lack the ability to survive for long durations. Not many batsmen today are termed as Test specialists and their technique is exposed in the toughest format of the game.

Most batsmen these days are experts at home, in their familiar conditions, but when they are playing in adverse conditions, they fail miserably. For example, teams from the subcontinent struggle on the bouncy tracks of Australia and South Africa, and on the swing-friendly conditions of England.

Similarly, those teams find it extremely difficult when they face the quality spinners of India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka on turning wickets. Increasingly, series’ are ending in whitewashes, with the team at home dominating the visitors.

#4 Braver declarations by captains

The Australians are known for their aggressive captaincy

Captains nowadays are not afraid of declaring the innings early and set shorter targets for the opposition to chase. To push for the victory, they tend to give the opposition a sniff at the target so that they would get tempted to go for the chase rather than playing for a draw.

It does two things – the batting team loses wickets in the quest for achieving the target and the bowlers then dominate to win the match, or a good start gives the batting team the chance to get closer to the target and with the run-scoring abilities of the batsmen these days, anything is possible.

Earlier, the fielding captains used to play safe and wouldn’t declare the innings until they were sure of at least a draw from the game. A sizeable score was given to the opposition to chase at the end, with lesser time, and the onus would be on them to bat out the remaining overs to enforce a draw.

#5 Pitches favour the home side

Home bowlers hold all the cards in Test cricket

The pitches now are prepared more in favour of the home side to provide them with a certain advantage. This is a very controversial topic of the game and a debate is ignited each time a Test series takes place.

Some believe that it is quite natural to prepare pitches to support the home side while others call for sporting pitches. But the fact is that no team wants to lose Tests at home and curators are influenced to prepare a pitch that favours the strength of the home side.

An Australian curator never prepares a rank turner when India tours and similarly, an Indian curator would not offer bounce on the track while hosting. This makes it easy for one side to dominate and hence the teams hardly win overseas these days.