Tests, a different ball game

Tests, a different ball game

Batsmen win you one-day internationals but to win Tests, the toughest format of cricket, you need bowlers.

That was evident on an unforgettable evening at the Eden on Thursday, when India clawed their way back into the match like wounded tigers and broke the South African resistance to win the Test, level the series and snatch back the No.1 tag which had been
yanked off their necks after the loss at Nagpur.
That Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra and Ishant Sharma consistently delivered an impeccable line to constanly ask the batsmen uncomfortable questions goes to show that you could score runs by the ton, but you still need to bowl the opposition out twice
over to win a Test match. The task is tougher when you are playing a mentally strong team such as South Africa.
The shorter formats of the game are heavily loaded against the bowlers - free hits,
wides et al. The margin of error is too thin. On the contrary, Test cricket provides the bowlers enough time to work the batsmen out. And that, for me, is THE thing.
The Indian bowlers were outstanding. To shut the South Africans out for 296 in their first innings when they were 218 for 1 was indeed remarkable. That lifted the spirits of Dhoni’s men who turned the game on its head, just like a memorable one at the same
venue, against the ‘all-conquering’ Australians back in 2001. Bowlers again. Having played in that match I can tell you... ahem... sorry, words can’t describe that feeling.

(The author is a former India cricketer, national selector and coach of the Hyderabad
team)

Tests, a different ball game

Tests, a different ball game

source http://www.deccanchronicle.com/blogs/venkatapathy-raju