Good pitches will ensure that cricket does not get boring, asserts Tendulkar

The growth of shorter formats such as ODIs and T20Is and it's appeal to the modern generation of cricket lovers has led to many questions being raised about Test cricket, which is considered to be a dying trend. However, Indian great Sachin Tendulkar reckons that an improvement in the quality of pitches will ensure that the longer format of cricket can sustain itself in the current global market. 

The Mumbai Indians mentor mentioned that the surface used for the Ashes Test at Lord's last week was a clear example of how Test cricket can be made exciting by quality pitches. 

"The heart of Test cricket is the kind of surface that you play on. If you provide good pitches, cricket cannot be boring, cricket cannot be damp and (there will always) be those exciting moments, exciting bowling spells, great batting. That is what people want to see," Tendulkar was quoted as saying by PTI sources. 

While speaking about the ongoing Ashes series, Tendulkar added that the recent incident between England's Jofra Archer and Australia's Steven Smith only added to the excitement as the visitors heaped pressure on the newly-crowned World Champions. 

"Smith got injured, unfortunately. That was a big blow to him but Test cricket was exciting when Jofra Archer challenged him. It suddenly became exciting and the focus shifted to Test cricket.

"At Lord's, they lost almost a day and half but the Test match got exciting even on the last day when England picked those wickets and Australia had to survive," Tendulkar added.