The lost art of drawing a Test match

I know I am not the first to wonder why teams are unable to draw a match.

 

Witness the SL-WI Test at the Providence Stadium. Set an impressive target the West Indies were 2-170 for lunch. What happened later is that the SL demolished the WI for a 121 run triumph.

 

Five years ago a score of 2 -170 at lunch gave rise to two possibilities, either a spirited chase or if some quick wickets had fallen, a well –fought draw. The possibility of a final day batting collapse was unthinkable.

 

However, with regularity we see teams collapsing in just one session. Experts have pointed to the ODI's as the prime cause. They say that with its popularity, the batsmen have lost the art of playing defensively.

 

I think that is too simplistic a cause. For example, India has Dravid who has the reputation of being technically adept and capable of playing till the cows come home. He too has been a part of many such collapses. (I am sure other teams have such players).

 

I attribute this alarming trend to the fact that the modern batsman has no 'stomach for a fight'. It is not a question of mental strength; it is indifference for he knows a flashy 40 runs is sure to get him more endorsements than a dour 50.

 

To what do you attribute these batting collapses?