Why Buttler and Stokes are great advertisement for Test cricket?

Ben Stokes

A gutsy Stokes on display

Stokes did showcase guts in the longer format when he emerged in the Test arena as he stood tall against Mitchell Johnson & Co in the famous 2013 Test series smashing a hundred on a typical Perth wicket on the final day. But still, he is best remembered for bullying bowlers in white-ball cricket.

Stokes, who is back after a court trial, always had the potential to defend. On a sarcastic note, it was evident even in one of the ODIs against India recently.

The southpaw, who has a history of getting out to spinners with some loose strokes, decided to put his head down and defend R Ashwin gallantly. He looked ungainly on most occasions but he hung on. That’s what Test cricket is all about.

England and Test cricket’s biggest gain from the fourth day of the third Test was Buttler grafting his way to a hundred and Stokes trying to defy all odds with his gritty batsmanship. They could have easily thrown their bats at scoring a 25-ball 40 each and perished. They probably know they were neither going to be scapegoats for what looks like a massive defeat nor their position in the side is in danger.

However, they were determined and Test cricket is more about guts and determination. What else do you need as advertisement for Test cricket. It's time for cricket boards to ensure more quality cricketers play red ball cricket.