One of the highlights of working as an ABC sports commentator is having a role in our radio coverage of the Test cricket. It's fantastic to bring all the drama and action of what is without doubt the best form of this great game.
There are constant twists and turns, unlike most limited-overs games, where apart from the thrilling finishes there is a staleness to the middle periods of contests.
This Boxing Day Test is a prime example of one team dominating only to be usurped by the other. India had the upper hand going into day three at 3 for 214, but collapsed to be bowled out by lunch for 282.
Australia took a handy buffer of 51 runs into the second innings, only for the visitors to quickly take control when the hosts slumped to 4 for 24.
Kerry O'Keefe rang his wife at lunch to tell her the way the game was going - he wasn't likely to be home until Friday - but when the Aussies collapsed, a listener suggested Kerry ring home to say he would be back that night.
The home team recovered thanks to veterans Mike Hussey and Ricky Ponting, but two wickets swung the momentum back to India. It could change many more times.
These teams have played some wildly fluctuating tests over the years and these games are better remembered than those of any other form of the game.
The shortened versions have a role to play and administrators around the world are targeting young children, especially those of primary school age, to get behind Twenty20.
It's working, but there are concerns that is to the detriment of Test cricket. We need to get these pre-teen kids into Test cricket like we were at that age.
In an interview I conducted during Wednesday's lunch break, I spoke to Cricinfo's Jarrod Kimber and Sam Collins, who are in the process of putting together a documentary film looking at the future of Test cricket and whether it does in fact have a future.
The working title is a ripper - Death of a Gentleman. Both Jarrod and Sam are Test cricket lovers but concerned about this wonderful format. They are endeavouring to speak to many current and past players, administrators and media personnel to gauge their views on whether it can still be relevant.
For me the proof lies in the pudding. Australia - in South Africa last month, against New Zealand in Hobart a fortnight ago and this Test against India - continues to find itself in good and bad positions hour after hour.
There was also India's draw last month against the West Indies - that match was heading into the forgettable region after four days, but out of nowhere it changed.
Test cricket has been going for 134 years and this Boxing Day contest is providing evidence it's never been better.
May it live and prosper forever.
Tags: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia First posted December 28, 2011 18:13:57
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