That’s why it’s called Test cricket!

The addition of The Hundred to cricketrsquos extensive array of formats should concern players because of the adverse effect the unwieldy schedule has on one of the gamersquos most important aspects player developmentFor decades the best way for a player to progress from a schoolboy to an international cricketer was a straightforward path Play as many matches as possible at a young age and when success was achieved at one level it was time for promotion to a higher grade The player either hit a ceiling that was their limit or they reached the pinnacle with the skills acquired to provide them with a decent chance of achieving successThis productive system has been severely diluted in the prime pursuit of revenue with little thought given to the effect on the playersrsquo skillsKohlirsquos correct observationIn a revealing and thoughtful interview during the Trent Bridge match the poster boy for Test cricket Virat Kohli made an interesting observation When asked about the murky future of the gamersquos longest form Kohli replied ldquoIt depends on the quality of cricket itrsquos the players who keep Test cricket aliverdquoThis being the case the players should want more say in the future direction of the gameAlso Read The Hundred is a big zeroInstead of devising more formats which in turn results in an absurdly cluttered schedule there needs to be rationalisation in order to produce a blueprint for the gamersquos future A muchneeded forum on this subject should include a wide range of participants players administrators media sponsors medical people and the publicThe first question should be is how many forms of the game allow a workable schedule that provides player and fan satisfaction along with ample revenueStreamlined versionIf itrsquos decided Test cricket is part of the gamersquos future then a decision needs to be made on what form it takes to best fit into modern society After all itrsquos better to have a streamlined version than no Test cricketItrsquos hard for the modern player to maintain the standard Kohli is referring to when you look at the schedule While the battle for the Pataudi Trophy is in progress any potential England callup is involved in one of the following competitions The Hundred the T20 Vitality Blast or the Royal London Cup 50 over matchesNot a redball game in sight and yet Test cricket at least according to the majority of players and administrators is the gamersquos pinnacleDuring a Test series in Australia the situation isnrsquot much different An Australian player has to press his claims through the Big Bash T20 tournamentAlso Read Woodcockrsquos world of wordsThatrsquos two countries with a reasonably strong firstclass competition What chance do the lesser nations have when their potential Test players either have a weak firstclass competition or none at all in which to hone the required skillsItrsquos often said players have improved The comment needs clarification If the reference is to batsmen being more powerful hitters then itrsquos true Are they better equipped to navigate tough spells of bowling for a long period In most cases the answer is an emphatic noItrsquos the same when people profess fielding has improved Therersquos no doubt the number of athletic catches in the outfield has increased and theyrsquore often spectacular in their execution Has slip catching improved Most definitely not The bulk of the regularly spilt chances occur because of one simple footwork flaw and yet it remains uncorrectedThe skills required to excel at Test level need to be acquired at a young age and then honed in tough competition as the player rises through the grades This can only be achieved if enough countries have a functional development system If this is the case then Test cricket can remain vibrant otherwise it will whither on the vineIf those skills are properly honed then a player can adapt to any length of game Kohli being a good example If players truly believe Test cricket is the pinnacle then they need to agitate for a summit on the gamersquos future they could do no better than appoint Kohli their spokespersonAlso Read Life and depth situation