The nature of death and disappearance seems to be running across the length of the planet and the looming clouds of nostalgia and pain seem to be reigning themselves above us at an alarmingly fast pace.

The Persian leopard, once a beaming insignia of pride, is slowly but surely seeping out of the jungles and into picture books of speculation and figurines carved of guesswork while the story of the dwindling population of the beautiful tiger in our country is not new. The decline in the amount of oil is not only affecting people but worldly relations, where bullets and grenades are exchanged for the black liquid.

The test match is a form of cricket played over the span of five days consisting of two teams, four innings and a result. The test match is also nearing extinction.

Tap a school boy on his shoulder, say ‘cricket’ and see his lights flicker with images of slam-bang T20 cricket, vague shots born out of improvisation and scantily clad women, among other things…

Not that it’s wrong. Scantily clad women are fine to look at, as is the shorter format of the game. T20 cricket has forced onto itself more eyeballs and is responsible for slowly turning cricket into a global sport, one which we may see at the Olympics one day. We’ve come from a time when cricket was meant for the elites of society, those with the monocles and bowler hats, to a generation which ignores the apparent problems between a saas and her bahu and revels in the destruction of helpless bowlers.

T20 cricket has revolutionised not only the game of cricket and the way it is acknowledged, but even the way the game is played. Chasing down a score of 320 in a 50 over game isn’t considered as much of a task anymore and scoring 400 in a day’s play is as normal as an Anna Hazare fast.

But while T20 cricket is slowly lifting cricket onto a stratosphere unheard of, the five day game is descending underground and nobody seems to care. The white kits are greeted with empty seats and unenthusiastic filled ones. Even the lure of free passes into a stadium doesn’t affect the spectator’s mind.

Though, the previous few months have seen some interesting and entertaining matches which should help in the comeuppance of the format. The Australia-South Africa series was a fantastic example of ‘equals facing off’. Even the thrilling third test match between India and West Indies, which ended in a gut-wrenching draw, drew lots of attention and applause.

Test cricket isn’t really dying. It’s us who need things fast and efficient. We want our food fast, our internet speeds fast, our trains fast, our runs fast. Test matches isn’t about scoring runs faster than the opposition. It never was. Test cricket is about carefully plotting and planning your opponent’s downfall, setting a plan B for the plan A and a Plan C for the both of them, whilst having a plan D ready to spring to your mind when required.

India’s tour to Australia is the biggest series of the year, barring the World Cup. The twittering before the start hasn’t risen to deafening levels nor has the infamous ‘mind game’ tactic. Australia are moving along with humble caution after suffering a wrath of injuries while India remain mum, thanks to the absence of Harbhajan Singh and the likes.

The India-Australia series is a battle of wits. India’s experience against Australia’s exuberance. The Indians will take their time to adjust to the tedious conditions Down Under, while the young Australian squads will have to keep their awe under check while facing the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid.

Speaking of whom, probably for the third time in their careers, this is being dubbed as their last tour to Australia and the best chance they have to win there. This time though, it is probably true. Both are on the precipice of the big 40 and by the time India visit next (December 2014), we could have a change of guard.

Not only Tendulkar and Dravid but Ricky Ponting too could be seen playing India for the last time in his career. The great Aussie, regarded better than Tendulkar in numerous quiet circles, is having a disaster of a 2011 and a retirement seems to be looming around the corner.

Come Monday, wake up at 5:30 in the morning and watch MS Dhoni and the boys take on the Kangaroos. Let the Aussie sunrise illuminate your room and the glory of test cricket illuminate your mind.

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