With the old adversary visiting, nine teams in the competition, a sophisticated mechanism in place, and 2352 successful test matches prior to it, Fortress Edgbaston was set to host the opening match of the ICC World Test Championship. What’s the worst that might happen? Fast forward nearly two years, and the setting is set in a less-than-sunny Hampshire, where modest New Zealand takes against colossal India.
The first question to ask is if the proper teams have advanced to the final. Yes, to put it simply. Since James Anderson let go of that first ball in Birmingham, the not-so-simple solution has been unfolding over the past 692 days. Regardless of the caliber of their opponents or the dramatic nature of the series, both finalists have been stunningly consistent and have played some of the finest cricket in the world. In their own special manner. On the one side, we have the Kiwis, who have recently been inspired by the big Jamieson. They play conservative, courteous, and repeating cricket, using time and pleasantries to grind down other sides. The Indians, on the other hand, are a different story. They’re a big hit.
Test cricket has always been and will continue to be the peak of the sport. Anyone who understands and appreciates the game’s history will always rank the longer format first. The white ball game’s evolution has been good to the sport’s marketing, but franchise cricket’s entrance has been damaging on the international stage. It started with several world-class West Indian players abandoning the international set-up to play in the IPL, and it culminated with the recent decision of seven Australian players to pull out of international duty ahead of a busy year of matches.
So, was the test match venue in need of a makeover in the first place? No, for the purist, but yes, for the inductee. Something has to change in order for the longer format to draw larger crowds and audiences. Two teams could no longer compete for a series with no bearing on the rest of the cricketing world. Other countries did not pay attention to England’s visit to Bangladesh. No one seemed to mind if South Africa was humiliating Pakistan at home. But, with the creation of the World Test Championship, I saw something I never imagined could happen on Earth in its current form. The Australian audience was cheering for England’s cricket squad as they faced off against India on the subcontinent. There were a few scenarios for Australia to reach the final, but it would have to be a drawn series, if not a win for England.
Prior to that series, there had never been a match in which an Australian actively supported the poms. I’m not sure what else will demonstrate the rest of the world’s commitment. But, if test cricket so desperately needs a makeover, how has it managed to hang on for so long? There are certain programs, such as The Ashes, that will always draw large audiences. But, the beauty of test cricket is that, without notice, a series will emerge out of nowhere, providing some jaw-dropping matches and dramatic moments that will hold the cricketing contingent’s attention. In 2014, England defeated India in the subcontinent. South Africa’s three-peat thrashing of England at home has forced England captains to step down. Kevin Pietersen should be mentioned as little as possible.
The World Test Championship has produced a number of series that match this description and would be fantastic in their own right, regardless of how they affected the overall standings. In the winter of 2019, England’s trip to South Africa was spectacular to see. In 2021, India and England played a series that served as the championship’s climax. From an English standpoint, it was not that interesting to see. And, of course, no one will ever forget India’s end-of-year trip to Australia. Even the most stoic cricket purist was spurred into joy and motivation by their second consecutive triumph on Australian soil. Without the extra drama and context of the World Test Championship, these series would all be able to stand on their own, and that is what has allowed Test cricket to endure and thrive for so long.
After all of that, we’ve arrived at the final, and who do you think deserves to win? In reality, both sides are deserving winners. New Zealand plays a more honest and traditional style of the game, although they haven’t had the same opponents as India. India plays contemporary cricket and has had a more erratic season than New Zealand, which has been very stable. With these parallels in mind, it only seems fair that the subcontinent triumphs. They do play a contemporary game, but this is the modern period, and they have really been the best side in the world, despite the fact that the Kiwis are now rated first.
As a result, the best player must come from the best team. I’m having trouble writing his name because I just saw him give the final to New Zealand on a purple velvet cushion with gold trim. Rishabh Pant, on the other hand, has been the star performer for the past two years. In a series that paralleled the 2005 Ashes in intensity, he single-handedly brought India over the finish line at the Gabba. He thrashed England and became only the second wicketkeeper in history to score a century in each of Australia, India, and England. His wicket-keeping was on par with that of Ben Foakes, the world’s top gloveman. All of this at the age of 23. He’s the contemporary game, and he’ll keep improving and innovating for the rest of his great career. Without a question, he is my vote for Test Player of the Year.
Marnus Labuschagne and Pat Cummins, who have been the standouts in an otherwise stuttering Australian squad, have received honorable mentions. Ben Stokes has established himself as a true world-class cricketer who will be remembered for the rest of his career and beyond. Finally, there’s Kane Williamson. He has done an outstanding job as New Zealand’s captain, scoring an unbelievable quantity of runs in the most modest and lovely manner conceivable. Pant defeats him merely because of the inferior caliber of opposition that New Zealand is obliged to face. When he is able to face India, Australia, and England in a four- or five-test series, he, along with his squad, will be exalted to immortal status.
After that, there’s one more item to think about. Is it possible to enhance the Test Championship? I suppose it’s possible. How? I’m not sure, but the competition’s first edition can’t possibly be ideal. However, it has served as a fantastic advertisement for test cricket. It has provided some wonderful sights to people all across the world, but thanks to COVID and the weather, it has come to an abrupt end in a windy, rainy Southampton week. At the very least, there will be a conclusion. It appeared at one time that six days would be insufficient and that New Zealand would lose on the majority of the balls thrown. They already have the upper hand.
