'Test cricket should continue to be the benchmark of greatness'

Reader: tempus

I am sorry but all these people saying the WICB have done rubbish, can any of you tell me an instance in the real world where someone signs a contract with an organisation and then successfully signs another contract with another organisation which limits his obligations to the first organisation? You cannot sign a contract for one organisation and then when you're required to work for them you head off to work for some other entity. Which fantasy world does that take place? Sure this may lead to players not signing retainer contracts which is a totally different matter but I'm afraid those cursing the board are wrong on this point.

Reader: RockcityGuy

A Sachin straight drive, a Ponting pull, a Pietersen Flamingo, a Laxman cover drive are all so beautiful to watch... the 'tuck' sound that the ball makes on bat is glorious... even while slogging I think Pietersen, Rohit, Vijay and Yuvraj are very pretty... I should add Guptill to that list now... There is beauty to be found in brutality too... A Gayle 'slog-pull', a Mccullum 'forehand' and a Sehwag upper cut are equally breathtaking to watch!

Similarly, Starc crashing the ball at the base of the stumps, Anderson inducing an edge, Ashwin making a left-hander nick to slips, Herath's lazy elegant flight, Steyn's vicious outswingers and Johnson's terrifying bouncers are all sights to behold...

Football might be 'Joga Bonito' (the beautiful game), but cricket was, is and forever will be 'The Gentleman's game'... neat, slick, proper, handsome and impressive. How blessed we are to be able to know, understand and enjoy this wonderful game? Grateful!

Reader: bilal_muzaffar

Great question raised. What does cricket need to do going forward. I guess one of the fundamental questions is that is T20 cricket really cricket. I mean the technique and temperament that is the essence of greatness as a"cricketer" is somewhat lost in the ultrashort form of the game. Would there be any difference between Don Bradman and an Andre Russell if T20 was the only format? I think there is actual cricket and T20 cricket. T20 is great fun but is it actually cricket? For me, Test cricket has to be preserved and given the greatest respect. Test cricket greatness should continue to be the benchmark of greatness. The 50-over game at this time seems redundant . It doesn't fit either category and can be gotten rid of. T20 should get more importance then one-dayers. They should keep 2 formats: one as real cricket and one for full entertainment.

Reader: harshthakor

The greatest spell of sustained fast bowling ever was exhibited by Michael Holding at the Oval in 1976. There has never been any spell in Test cricket when sheer speed was blended with such a poetic rhythm. Holding created the impact of lightning and thunder but his bowling possessed the beauty of a lotus blooming or the grace of a bird flying. He looked more like a Rolls Royce car. Above all the wicket was flat. Holding exhibited mastery in obtaining such bounce and pace on such a docile surface.This spell took the art of fast bowling to its highest zenith.

Reader: cricketeria

Osman, Jarrod, To your collection of undoubtedly great performances, I would add:

KP 149 v SA, Headingley 2012: I'll never forget three shots he hit off prime Dale Steyn: over midwicket, cover drive, and a straight drive right at Dale Steyn's face.

KP 186 v India Mumbai 2012: utter dominance of Indian spinners on a spinning track.

Ajmal v England 2012: 24 wickets in three Tests.

Mohammad Asif: 6/41 v Australia, Sydney 2010: If Asif doesn't return, my enduring memory of him is making batsmen suddenly double over as if gut-punched because Asif's outside off-stump ball suddenly jagged back to hit middle stump.

Jacques Kallis 109 v India, Cape Town 2010: Kallis makes ton while all fall down around him.

Brian Lara 226 v Australia, Adelaide 2005: Lara spanks Warne and McGrath for a double at strike rate of nearly 76.

Brian Lara 216 v Pakistan, Multan 2006: Lara signs off with another double against a not-bad Pak attack. Kaneria: "I'm happy that a player as great as Lara hits me around."