What a performance by the Indian cricket team!

[the other bob wilson]

I would agree that pitches are cared for much better these days (I wonder if the groundsman is under fire after yesterday).

The skill of the modern day batsmen must be a big factor though.

I've been critical of batsmen getting out to "one day shots" in test matches as tests going the full five days seemed to be getting less and less.
Some of the shots played by India, the like of which I don't think I'd seen in test cricket in the 70's and 80's, probably 90's too, were superb tho had India lost that game, I'm sure we would be calling into question their wisdom.
The Twenty 20 form, which I wasn't a huge fan of initially but has grown on me, must have had an influence.

Whether it was the flat pitch, poor bowling or perfect batting conditions, the huge run total still had to be got and what a way to get them.

I'm still not a fan of 20/20 cricket, but I am watching a lot more of the Big Bash in Australia this year and you have to appreciate the new shots which would never have appeared if it wasn't for the 20/20 game. When you look back at all of the flak Mike Gatting received for getting out playing a reverse sweep in the 1987 World Cup Final and compare it to now, the difference is astonishing - the reverse sweep is now a legitimate shot in test cricket, in fact, someone like Keaton Jennings would probably have never played test cricket without it.

[Majorblue]

I'm still not a fan of 20/20 cricket, but I am watching a lot more of the Big Bash in Australia this year and you have to appreciate the new shots which would never have appeared if it wasn't for the 20/20 game. When you look back at all of the flak Mike Gatting received for getting out playing a reverse sweep in the 1987 World Cup Final and compare it to now, the difference is astonishing - the reverse sweep is now a legitimate shot in test cricket, in fact, someone like Keaton Jennings would probably have never played test cricket without it.

I was against the concept of 20/20 at first but was badly wrong. It has changed the game for the better in terms or technical skills, fitness and tactics which has translated into the longer game.
Additionally it has brought big crowds back to the game with the likes of Middx, Surrey, Lancs and Yorkshire selling out as ticket prices are cheap and the counties making an effort to be family friendly.
That said I want nothing to do with the Hundred which is just pointless when we have now established 20/20.

[the other bob wilson]

I was against the concept of 20/20 at first but was badly wrong. It has changed the game for the better in terms or technical skills, fitness and tactics which has translated into the longer game.
Additionally it has brought big crowds back to the game with the likes of Middx, Surrey, Lancs and Yorkshire selling out as ticket prices are cheap and the counties making an effort to be family friendly.
That said I want nothing to do with the Hundred which is just pointless when we have now established 20/20.

Despite my misgivings, I've always thought the 20/20 version of the game was invented by cricket men and women - the 100, on the other hand, looks like the brainchild of a bunch of marketing men and women and consultants.