Top 5 things on a spectator's wish-list while watching a Test match

Test cricket has taken a backseat in the minds of cricket fans ever since the shortest version of the game became tremendously popular. It is indeed a worrying sign that Test cricket seems to be fast losing its popularity and desperate steps need to be taken to save what many consider to be the beautiful game.

But it is strange that Test cricket is now considered to be uninteresting given the fact that it has given us so many things to remember in the history of the sport. What are the things the die-hard cricket fanatic wishes for while watching Test cricket? Here is a wish-list for the spectators.

A post-lunch nap

Even the most die-hard cricket fan cannot deny that the even the best Test matches can be a bit boring at times. Test matches are supposed to be the true test of a cricketer's grit and determination. As a result, gruelling battles are fought throughout the day with both the teams trying their best to win one session at a time.

Even the players go through the motions at times when long sessions go by without wickets falling or many runs being scored. Spectators try to relax on a lovely sunny day and especially after the post-lunch session, many of them are typically caught napping by the roving cameras.

Many fans even vouch for the fact that such sessions can be a ready medicine to people suffering from insomnia. But such ideas are surely controversial as many fans like to believe that a true lover of the game is supposed to enjoy the long, patient build up during such gruelling sessions.

#2 A tailender's knock

Jason Gillespie scored a memorable double century against Bangladesh

Remember the time when Jason Gillespie walked in as a night-watchman against Bangladesh and slammed a double hundred back in 2005? Gillespie's innings proved that even bowlers can get the odd big score in a Test match when sent in as a cover for batsmen.

But it is much more fun perhaps to witness a quick blitzkrieg from tail-enders. It is fun to watch lower order batsmen not bothering to get in line and swinging madly while the bowling team is dying to bowl out the opposition.

Remember Sreesanth stepping out to Andre Nel to hit him for a straight six and his memorable celebration thereafter? Few things in Test cricket can be more entertaining that a good tailender's knock. It breathes life into the game and at times even shifts the balance of the match.

#3 A great bowling spell

Ishant Sharma announced his arrival with a breath-taking spell at Perth in 2008

Many fans would fondly remember that Ishant Sharma first rose to fame after that extraordinary bowling spell to Ricky Ponting at Perth in 2008. It was a spectator's delight with the then young, fiery fast bowler continuously beating Ponting's bat in one of the finest examples of fast bowling.

Admittedly, one of the best things on a spectator's wish list is a brilliant bowling spell. Not always the kind when bowlers run through the opposition but the simple pleasure of getting to watch a good battle. This is more relevant in a time when limited overs cricket has swung decisively in favour of batsmen.

Indian spectators seldom get to watch a fiery fast bowling duo of say Lillee and Thomson but they have always had their spin kings to cheer for. Starting from the famous Indian spin quartet of the 70s to Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble running through oppositions in the late 90s, the atmosphere is always electric when Indian spinners spin a web around the opposition.

#4 A classical batting knock

VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid gifted India one of her finest Cricketing moments with a memorable partnership in 2001

Test cricket is all about perseverance and the ability to score runs in trying situations. Considered to be the true test of a batsman's abilities, the longest version of the game requires skill, perseverance and a temperament quite different to that needed in limited overs cricket.

No doubt then, nothing is more rewarding than for spectators to watch a batsman battle the odds and emerge on top in the difficult conditions. One can immediately recall the scintillating partnership between Dravid and Laxman against Australia in the Kolkata Test back in 2001.

Or sometimes it can be the classy, once in a lifetime knock like Virender Sehwag's two triple hundreds or the four hundred scored by the legendary Brian Lara against England in 2004. Spectators who have been witness to these knocks can never forget they have been treated to.

#5 A nail-biting finish

The 2005 Ashes is hailed by many as the best Test series in recent years

Those who consider Test cricket to be boring, think again. The longest version of the game can also go down to the wire so that all three results are possible going into the last over of a Test match.

Those who still find this difficult to believe simply need to remember about the 2005 Ashes series which was one of the most entertaining and hard-fought Test series in recent history. Most of the matches in the series went into the last day with all three results possible.

England's two-run victory in the second Test followed by the lasting image of Andrew Flintoff consoling a dejected Brett Lee has stayed with us till now. Lee and McGrath playing out the last four overs to deny England a victory in the third Test was nail-biting stuff. Ashley Giles and Mathew Hoggard guiding England to victory in the fourth Test was unforgettable.

Those are the rare moments a spectator can always dream of and can then proudly claim that there is nothing like Test cricket.