A ticket to Chennai via Channel 4

HUW TURBERVILL: It was a Test that seemed to have everything: five captivating half-days that made us all forget the lockdown and the snow and ice for a welcome while

It’s a weird feeling waking up and switching on the telly to watch cricket (we don’t have Sky in the bedroom). Yes, Channel 4 is back! The commentary from the world feed is fairly anodyne, it has to be said, and I drift into that half-snooze, listening vaguely, watching through heavy lidded eyes, occasionally registering an incident. I’m glad I was asleep when Rory Burns was dismissed playing his reverse sweep as I would have kicked the screen.

Sir Alastair Cook appears sleepy on the first day, but he warms to the task through the match. Our own Simon Hughes also pops up later in the match at the tea breaks, improvising with various props and gadgets. Understandably this is a low-tech successor to those Channel 4 heydays (1999–2005) so far, but his ingenuity shines though.

Dom Sibley has admirably found a way to play on the subcontinent after his initial struggles in Sri Lanka, when he looked as if he was playing French Cricket. Joe Root is incredible of course, in his 100th Test. Have you ever seen somebody execute so many sweep shots so perfectly?

A few comments suggested youngsters did not find England’s innings engaging, but I go on what my son, who is 16, says. He is a cricket fan who took the route that the ECB has road-mapped for his ilk: watch T20, then suddenly have an epiphany moment about Test cricket. Lo and behold he sat watching a Test on a Saturday afternoon with me one day and said: “This is actually pretty good Dad.” He comes in to say good morning and pat the dog. “You watching, Ben?” “I don’t have Channel 4 on my phone.” “Switch your telly on then!”

Alas he doesn’t. Youngsters don’t seem keen any more on traditional terrestrial fare. Instead, he tells me soon after that he has downloaded the app. And the next day he reveals: “I watched Ben Stokes bat on YouTube.” Oh well, it takes all sorts.

My mobile beeps like R2D2 on Red Bull. There’s quite a heated debate on The Cricketer staff WhatsApp group raging about the impact that Channel 4’s return is making.

^{Joe Root has begun 2021 in remarkable form}

One or two believe the mere fact it’s back on free to air is enough to engage youngsters, and certainly the audience figures for the first few days, about a million, are encouraging. The lack of social media clips is causing consternation among the majority of the team, however, and the highlights not being on until 7pm on All 4 add to the worry (we used to have to wait until midnight in the old Beeb days!).

The debate starts up again the following day, running along similar lines, and I wonder if it’s Groundhog Day, but that was on February 2, and Andie McDowell isn’t watching the cricket with me.

It’s an incredible Test developing, and no one can say the electric opening spell from Jofra Archer is anything other than enthralling. Dom Bess continues to shine too, taking wickets with bad balls in Botham-esque fashion, but bowling some pearlers too that command the utmost respect from the admirably circumspect Cheteshwar Pujara. It’s a beauty that removes Virat Kohli.

When cricket got better: A revolutionary time

Meanwhile word reaches us that West Indies have pulled off an incredible win at Chittagong, chasing down a target of 395 against Bangladesh. Kyle Mayers has made a double-century on his debut.

Pakistan, enjoying being at home again at last, have also won an entertaining rubber against South Africa.  

Test cricket seems in a decent place today, and its fans are basking in that while they can.

Back to the Test in India and Rishabh Pant’s assault on Jack Leach takes the breath away. It reminds me of Hansie Cronje’s premeditated dismantling of Ian Salisbury at Trent Bridge in 1998. Leach shows great character to bounce back, however, as we all knew he would. He knows all about adversity and affliction and is a credit to the game.

^{Virat Kohli was dismissed by Ben Stokes on the final day in Chennai}

We’ve been spoilt with the venues so far since Christmas. First there was the gorgeous Galle, its splendid fort and the views of the Indian Ocean; and this Test is being played at another lovely location: the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai looks wondrous from on high.

There are twin train tracks running alongside and my daydreams take me back to Sir Ian Botham at Old Trafford in 1981, hooking Dennis Lillee down to fine-leg as a British Rail Class 46 rolls into Warwick Road Station. A tweet inspires a chat about cricket grounds next to railway lines. There’s good on Twitter, when you filter out the aggressors.

I also wonder at its influence when, the day after I point out that the graphic showing who is facing is difficult to see, host broadcasters Star fix the problem. Was it The Cricketer Wot Won It?

The champagne moment? When Root has cramp, and Kohli comes to his assistance in sporting fashion. I wonder if Root could take a dip in the nearby Bay of Bengal, shimmering enticingly, to sooth his discomfort. “But there’s sharks in there!” says my daughter, 11, and she is right. The list of Selachii in this sea when I Google it – looking like one of those posters of fish in the chippie, points out James Coyne – would make me think twice about putting on my bathers. 

It’s still another lovely moment in a Test that has seemed to have everything, though: five captivating half-days that made us all forget the lockdown and the snow and ice for a welcome while.