Why Test cricket continues to charm

4) An abundance of time forces the most effort from players

"Because in my humble opinion, a hard-fought five-day Test match remains the greatest all-round challenge in modern day sport. A challenge as mentally demanding as it is physical. A challenge demanding the very highest levels of concentration of technique, of determination, of stamina, all, for the batsman at least, with no second chances." These are not the words of W G Grace; these are the words of the forerunner of modern cricket, Kevin Pietersen.

Donald floors Atherton

Imagine a T20 match where the batsman has scored only 6 runs in the past 2 overs. One senses that something will give. The batsman will invariably go for a hoick and the bowler's chance will come. Not so in Tests.

Time is not forcing the batsman to go for the big shots and make an error in the process. A wicket can only be extracted by the skill and guile of the bowler and his team. Likewise, a batsman cannot hope to play a couple of overs, score a quickfire 20 and then depart with the feeling of a job well done. He has to stay put for dozens of overs, against various bowlers and various times of the day. Time running out will never be an acceptable excuse for him throwing away his wicket. In a nutshell, Test cricket demands patience. And a player's lack or abundance of it is conspicuous for one and all to see.

All these reasons sum up why Test cricket continues to retain its own special spot in the hearts of cricket lovers!