Test cricket turning on Twenty20 excitement
February 16th, 2008, 4:04 am Hobbies News
Opposition players being labelled monkeys, dodgy umpiring decisions and some great fightbacks — its hard to script that sort of storyline, and the final chapter to this intriguing story will start to be written today during the fourth and final test in Adelaide.
Few people Ive talked to were supporting Australia in the third test in Perth last week and there are unlikely to be many willing Australia on this week as India attempts to level the series at 2-all.
But to be brutally honest the $1.93 on offer from the TAB for a Australia victory is ridiculous money.
Put what the heart says to one side and think with the head for moment if youre eyeing a bet in the final test.
You can almost certainly rule a draw out of the equation with the way these two teams approach the game, which leaves just two options — a win for one or other team and I know where the smart money should be going.
India played close to its best during its historic victory in Perth last week while Australia was well below what they are capable of producing.
If the Australian top order can put its rare off-game quickly behind it surely it will be too good for India.
But while I believe the Australians will be far too good in the final test others will beg to differ and that is what has made this series one of the greatest in recent times.
Its lucky it has been gripping for cricket followers in this country because weve been dished up very little on our own shores.
The Bangladesh series at the peak time of our summer game was a non-event and when England finally get here rugby will be dominating the smoko table talk as the so-called winter code winds into gear for another season.
There is little arguing the fact Twenty20 is the way of the future for cricket in this country as it attempts to maintain its piece of the sporting spectators pie.
But as long as Australia and India keep producing series like the current one, dont worry, cricket traditionalists, the test match form of the game will live on.
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