Why do cricket games take so frickin' LONG?
- Thread starter Chainsaw Mage
- Start date
Wilphe
Adventurer
Well, "because it just does" is a reasonable answer.
I recall that Test Cricket once didn't have a time limit and that all matches were played to a conclusion, nowdays this would play merry havoc with schedules. But all the cricket playing nations are a long way from each other (exception for ex-British India*, who weren't playing each other then as it was all one dominion) and when international cricket started the only way of travlling was by boat. If you've spent several months going to Australia by boat you'd want to play to a finish too.
Now with the five day limit the game may end up in a draw if they run out of time.
The ideal cricket experience is take the day off, go down to Lords, have it rain all day and have the game end in a draw without you seeing any play. Especially if the England team is bad and a draw is the best they are going to get.
* India-Pakistan is now the single highest stakes derby game in the world bar none.
I recall that Test Cricket once didn't have a time limit and that all matches were played to a conclusion, nowdays this would play merry havoc with schedules. But all the cricket playing nations are a long way from each other (exception for ex-British India*, who weren't playing each other then as it was all one dominion) and when international cricket started the only way of travlling was by boat. If you've spent several months going to Australia by boat you'd want to play to a finish too.
Now with the five day limit the game may end up in a draw if they run out of time.
The ideal cricket experience is take the day off, go down to Lords, have it rain all day and have the game end in a draw without you seeing any play. Especially if the England team is bad and a draw is the best they are going to get.
* India-Pakistan is now the single highest stakes derby game in the world bar none.
Olaf the Stout
Legend
Infernal Teddy said:Because we british gentlemen have time and patience... *Sips tea*
That and England normally lose within 3 or 4 days anyway!
Olaf the Stout
shilsen
Adventurer
A big part of the appeal of Test cricket to its fans is that it tests (hence the name) both psychological and physical endurance. A batsman doesn't get to stay there for a limited period of time (as in a one-day match) but is expected to last as long as he can and score as many runs in that time as possible. The bowling team can't just restrict the other team from scoring, but has to get them all out. And then there's the issue of pure artistry, which the lengthy nature of Test cricket lets one develop and display in a manner that the shorter version doesn't.Chainsaw Mage said:
Personally, I much prefer watching Tests to one-dayers.
death tribble
First Post
Cricket is still a game for Gentlemen. And a Gentlemen takes time to do a job properly.
Infernal Teddy
Explorer
Olaf the Stout said:That and England normally lose within 3 or 4 days anyway!
Olaf the Stout
Winning isn't everything though, is it?
I quite enjoy watching england vs. Australia ...Thanks
Delericho--That was the most concise explaination of cricket I've ever read. I watched some cricket matches while we were in India, but everyone was pretty engrossed (vs. Pakistan game) and it was a little difficult to get a proper explanation of what was going on.
And I've found the difficulty of explaining "the point" of a sport universal. You should have seen my face after I finally got someone to explain American football to me in highschool.
-suzi
Delericho--That was the most concise explaination of cricket I've ever read. I watched some cricket matches while we were in India, but everyone was pretty engrossed (vs. Pakistan game) and it was a little difficult to get a proper explanation of what was going on.
And I've found the difficulty of explaining "the point" of a sport universal. You should have seen my face after I finally got someone to explain American football to me in highschool.
-suzi
Sidekick
First Post
Umm yeah what they said - it's long because it is....
I personally prefer to watch One Day Cricket, but I will watch and do enjoy Test Cricket. Admittedly my team ain't that good at Test so it's a bit of a sore point.
Oh and I'm picking a New Zealand v South Africa final for the World Cup. Why you might ask? Because I want us to win the Cup and there's no way in hell that's going to happen if we face the Aussies in the final...
And slightly off topic have you guys ever seen the 42 Below Vodka ads? There's this great one where the voice over says "England, we love you, you gave Cricket to the Aussies, Soccer to the Brazilians and Rugby to us Kiwi's". -> it's funny 'cause it's true
I personally prefer to watch One Day Cricket, but I will watch and do enjoy Test Cricket. Admittedly my team ain't that good at Test so it's a bit of a sore point.
Oh and I'm picking a New Zealand v South Africa final for the World Cup. Why you might ask? Because I want us to win the Cup and there's no way in hell that's going to happen if we face the Aussies in the final...
And slightly off topic have you guys ever seen the 42 Below Vodka ads? There's this great one where the voice over says "England, we love you, you gave Cricket to the Aussies, Soccer to the Brazilians and Rugby to us Kiwi's". -> it's funny 'cause it's true
