The 3rd Ashes Test

[Yarmbaggie]

I do see the point you are making and you can only beat the team you are playing against. I agree with that. I guess my point is or could be the same with a lot of modern sports....Is it better? The W. Indies are quite abysmal as a test nation today compared to 20 years a go. India is most likely the same...Pakistan is definitely gone backwards as I would suggest is N Zealand.Sri Lanka are ok. Australia are not as powerful as they once were...South Africa are decent but cant really be compared as they were out of international cricket for so long.
That leaves the likes of Bangladesh,Zimbabwe, and if you want Ireland. Test cricket has gone backwards in its development...no question. There are too many versions of the game, which is where the money is. (Here we go again)
G Gooch could carry as could Tendulkar and many more because they had a temperament that suited a game that went on for 5 days. Not so today, as the modern player has not got the skill set. See how many games finished well within the allotted time...The one day hitter saves the day....and I am fine with that....but cricket isn't a better game for that....

Dubs as with any sport surely you can not compare the old days to now, be it football, cricket, cycling or whatever.

The old game was slow, based on technique, not giving your wicket away, of not losing. I loved it. Watching it was like fishing, slow, relaxing and if the weather was great you could even go to sleep for a bit! Crowds were respectful, the game was beautiful in a sedate and very English way! Oh the sound of leather on ball (not balls that’s just the public school boys)!

Kids nowadays would have hated it.

Yes technique has gone but in its place has come entertainment, noisy crowds, increases in runs per over, less drawn games, fitter athletic fielders, great catches, different formats so you can catch a game after work if you want, even their equivalent of VAR is great.

Yes it is different, better for some but give me Wisden and a deckchair in the sun and no one within 30 yards of me so that I can watch the technique any day.

[Dubbag]

Dubs as with any sport surely you can not compare the old days to now, be it football, cricket, cycling or whatever.

The old game was slow, based on technique, not giving your wicket away, of not losing. I loved it. Watching it was like fishing, slow, relaxing and if the weather was great you could even go to sleep for a bit! Crowds were respectful, the game was beautiful in a sedate and very English way! Oh the sound of leather on ball (not balls that’s just the public school boys)!

Kids nowadays would have hated it.

Yes technique has gone but in its place has come entertainment, noisy crowds, increases in runs per over, less drawn games, fitter athletic fielders, great catches, different formats so you can catch a game after work if you want, even their equivalent of VAR is great.

Yes it is different, better for some but give me Wisden and a deckchair in the sun and no one within 30 yards of me so that I can watch the technique any day.

All very well made points Yarm......and I do agree all manor of life evolves...and can not be avoided.
However, some old things survive very well today in this modern era. Perhaps our concept of entertainment is evolving.
I guess quality never really shows its age...which is why somethings and some people are timeless...