Modern Test cricket doesn’t lack quality says Amla, ‘mode’ just different

The very different style with which modern Test cricket is played has created a new kind of pressure for young batters particularly, where making runs is almost as important as how they’re scored, according to Proteas legend Hashim Amla. 

Much of that stems from the way batting in Test cricket in the last five years has become more aggressive, the result of so many T20s being played, which has changed the intent of young cricketers.

“I feel that the style of coaching has contributed to this as the players with ambitions to play Test cricket have the added pressure of not just scoring runs but how they are scoring it,” said Amla, who is currently employed as batting coach for the DP World Lions.

Test cricket is entering a potentially thrilling period, as five teams, including South Africa, chase qualification for the World Test Championship final in England next year. The outcome of series in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka over the next two months will determine the two finalists for the WTC. 

While much maligned because of the imbalance with schedules for its participants, the WTC has elevated interest in the Test format, which has consistently had its denouement forecast in the last decade. 

However, England’s “Bazballing” has generated publicity and fostered an attacking ethos around the world that has made the longer format extremely entertaining. It’s also, recently especially, led to varying degrees of success for teams. England went from making 823 in one Test against Pakistan to 112 in another just two weeks later. 

Conditions certainly play a role, as was the case in Mumbai, where India couldn’t score 147 against New Zealand in the fourth innings on a turning pitch, and suffered a historic clean sweep on home soil. 

“The low totals are pretty normal on tough wickets but the issue is when it seems to be happening on decent pitches as well,” said Amla.

While elder batters like England’s Joe Root — the leading run-scorer in the current World Test Championship cycle — and Australian opener Usman Khawaja continue to find success consistently with a method based on patience and occupation of the crease, the younger generation, like India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal and English pair Harry Brook and Ben Duckett, aren’t shy to attack from ball one.

“It starts from the top. What is the vision of the team’s coach and captain to win matches? If it’s decided that it’s to play in an attacking way even on tough surfaces then it’s pretty obvious it will make all those players in that team and even domestic players less patient,” said Amla. 

“There has been a change in the ‘mode’ of Test cricket. Not an increase or decrease, but a change to make it more entertaining to the general audience. There were certainly huge crowds and great games many years ago, although teams batted at 2.5 or 2.8 runs an over. The audience valued patience, endurance and bravery as virtues, and naturally it flowed into Test cricket.”

With the impact of T20 Leagues, especially the financial element, it is perfectly understandable that players climbing the ladder nowadays focus their development more on shotmaking than defence, but Amla wasn’t too concerned that this pattern would continue into perpetuity. 

“Perhaps the expectation of Test batting has to be adjusted to the current times and needs. I personally loved the older version of Kallis, Tendulkar and Waugh type of players who were the norm but also had a great fascination with the Laras, Sehwags and Pontings. Maybe for now, the norm has inverted a touch and who’s to say it won’t rotate again,” said Amla. 

“It really is difficult to enjoy the game if you are inconsistent, so in working with young batters, it is vital they’re exposed to the strongest of basics in the technical and mental side of the game, which will allow them to be more consistent and have more career options as they progress.”

For the short term, watching the growth of potential new stars like Jaiswal, New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra and locally Tristan Stubbs, will make for intriguing viewing.  Their methods may not follow lessons contained in an old coaching manual, but it’s helped to create circumstances where Test cricket is being talked about — and most importantly the subject isn’t ‘Test cricket is dying and isn’t fit for the modern age”.