With the ‘five day’ Test at Edgbaston and the Mandarins tour starting on the same day, I’ve written a blog about the decline of the draw in cricket. Get it here.
Rob Eastaway
PS. (Andy H)
In defence of the overs' game, I would say that whilst I do kind of agree with Rob, it does require two important factors for a time-game to be a success. First, a shared understanding of what constitutes the right time to shut-up shop a play for a draw (the last two or three overs, maybe?). In league cricket, I once played a match where the opposition blocked and blocked for 28 overs after losing a run of early wickets. It was not an edifying experience.
Second, a pitch good enough to actually get people out, and umpires happy to give LBW. I've played on too many slow, low pitches where it's almost impossible to get someone out who's mastered the art of the forward defensive.
I could add that, within the arena of the chess-playing professional, it's perfectly possible to agree a draw with an opponent just because you both happen to fancy doing something else entirely. So called professional draws add to what is usually more than half of the total number of games being drawn at that level.