OK....Improved analysis for bowlers, fitness, hitting ability, versatility of players, variety in deliveries and so on.
I actually think improvements in pace bowling stocks around the world can in some part be attributed to the rise in T20 cricket tbh.How has T20 benefitted Test cricket?
1. Keeps it financially alive.How has T20 benefitted Test cricket?
T20 cannibalised Test cricket, yet it's keeping it financially alive. Ahuh. I don't agree with that for a million reasons.1. Keeps it financially alive.
Yep, that's all that's needed really.
But are we talking quality wrist spin? Because who's a quality wicket-taking wrist spinner? As you say, none have cracked Test cricket. Who actually spins the ball nowadays? Who consistently flights the ball? I watched Swepson the other day and bemoaned this very point. Flat as a biscuit. Hardly any revs on it, apart potentially from over spin. I see Ish Sodhi as a classic example from my country. Promising young guy, very tall, used to spin it a bit as a youngster. Debuted as a youngster in Tests, was raw as hell but had a bit there...but it was never going to develop, because he was going hand-in-hand with his T20 focus. Played his last Test as a 25 year old to become a T20 franchise player and nowadays isn't even a dominant FC presence.Should also credit T20 keeping Wrist Spin alive, tho tbf the benefits haven't really been felt in Test level yet.
For a while it felt like Warne/Kumble would be the end of leggies at the professional level, but T20 cricket made them a hot commodity again, and now there are several who are pretty good at ODI level, but no one really who has cracked Tests. Maybe that will change in this decade.
T20 wrist-spin skills perhaps don't translated as easily to Tests as T20 pace-bowling skills, but the increase in raw talent and kids bowling legspin across the globe is bound to create a test quality player or two eventually.But are we talking quality wrist spin? Because who's a quality wicket-taking wrist spinner? As you say, none have cracked Test cricket. Who actually spins the ball nowadays? Who consistently flights the ball? I watched Swepson the other day and bemoaned this very point. Flat as a biscuit. Hardly any revs on it, apart potentially from over spin. I see Ish Sodhi as a classic example from my country. Promising young guy, very tall, used to spin it a bit as a youngster. Debuted as a youngster in Tests, was raw as hell but had a bit there...but it was never going to develop, because he was going hand-in-hand with his T20 focus. Played his last Test as a 25 year old to become a T20 franchise player and nowadays isn't even a dominant FC presence.
How has it done that?T20 cannibalised Test cricket, yet it's keeping it financially alive. Ahuh. I don't agree with that for a million reasons.
I'll concede that it was more that quite a few things have developed alongside each other to help players (mainly bowlers) in Test cricket. And ultimately like Flem said there are other major factors involved that doesn't seem to be discussed much by most people here. Or at the very least to the extent T20 cricket hurting Test cricket is.OK....
Improved analysis. What does that mean? Video analysis? Because that's a 21st century improvement, not via T20.
Fitness. That's got zero to go with T20. Again, 21st century.
Hitting ability. Given Test batting totals are down, can you really cite that? Or is it potentially limited to late innings hitting and setting up run chases? Has runs per over gone up in Test cricket over the last few years, and by how much?
Versality of players, what does that mean?
Variety of deliveries? The three quarter ball is probably the biggest improvement in variety, and that's not a T20 delivery. Are slower balls really a major part of Test cricket?
Most boards disagree with you.I don't think it's that Test cricket was unprofitable,
No board has actually said they lose money on Tests tho. Even NZC's statements are questionable - 16 tins of Spam said it better in the NZ/SA tour thread.Most boards disagree with you.
By eroding the amount of Tests that are played in certain series and by certain countries. By reducing the amount of warm-up games and preparation that sides are able to play on Test tours. By the fact that players are rested for some Tests because of 'workload'. By reducing the ability of particularly batsmen (in my opinion). By ensuring players play little, if any long-form first class cricket - thus also eroding the competitions and their ability to produce good Test talent. I could go on with more time.How has it done that?
The tests in the last few years have been some of the most exciting years by the way - with record viewing numbers.
Afghanistan need to play more tests though.Rashid Khan has a great test record too. But don't know if he can sustain it.