Test Cricket is the real test for the players and should be played more often.

Well, firstly I think my opponent did not read the topic carefully. The topic of this debate is "Test Cricket is the real test for the players and should be played more often". Please note the clause " should be played more often". The topic does not say that we should go back to 5 day test games. It only contends that Test Cricket is a real test and real challenge for the players and that it should be more played often. It does not say that we should ban other forms of cricket and play only test matches. It only stresses on the benefits of Test Cricket over other forms of the game, the benefits being the Skills and the tactics which players inherently develop after playing test cricket. Secondly, playing 5 day games does not send the game to any obscurity. Its only a misnomer and a wrong notion that people have towards Test Cricket. How can you say that the test match is not spreading and is less popular? Have you not seen how interesting the Ashes Test Series between the Australians and the English is ? Does it not have a big knowledgable fan following of purists and lovers of the game? How can you say that the game is not growing? Much depends upon the attitude of the players and the fans. Money is only a secondary factor here. Cricketers should play cricket not for money , but for the love of the game. They should focus on developing their skills and talents than dreaming of a fatter purse. And moreover, in today's society, the game is well off and all the cricketers earn well. Hence,money is not all a factor in deciding which form of the game should be played more. And, again its erroneous to say that Test Cricket is not crossing international , cultural or ethical lines. Is not test cricket played at the international level among countries across the globe? This form of cricket does involve many players and is obviously not a lower quality product. And more importantly , it should be noted that its not an average student or an average person who should play cricket at the international level , representing his/her nation. Trained people who are the best in their nation should represent their country in the international level. People who can play ODI's or twenty 20's can obviously play Test matches and moreover if a player does not have copious amount of time to play test cricket which improves his skills and nurtures his talent and helps him to become consistent , then its better that he gives up playing cricket itself. And it should also be noted that even great players need to practice regularly and sincerely in order to deliver in the international level. And the fact that the famous Ranji Trophy Cup( which is a platform where players from many Indian states take part and from which many players for the National team are selected) follows a Test Cricket Pattern only strengthens the fact that this form of cricket is widely acclaimed to test and nurture the player's fitness abilities, skills and other tactics. It is agreed that the game may have less commoners or viewers of the game , but for the players to nurture their skills, playing considerable amount of test cricket is necessary. Its agreeable that sports should have entertainment coupled with it, but if you want quality sports or quality cricket, you do need to sacrifice a little of entertainment. And again, there will be no slow down in the intensity of the game. All games are in its own unique way interesting. There is action in every form of the game, in its own way. It depends on the mindset of the players who play the game and the fans who watch the game to decide what the action is. The opponent has clearly said that " 5 day games also make a player susceptible to injury and harm. Permanent injury could result in stubborn players not wanting to take of injuries, or because they couldn't find a replacement who could take 5 days off work on short notice. Run on a sprained ankle all week guy can't compete for another month. Or maybe just limp for the rest of his life." This is a very erroneous fallacy. Injuries are a part of every game and it is not justifiable to say that people who play test cricket are prone to more injuries to players who play ODI's and twenty20's. The format of the game requires you to play for 5 days continuously and if you cannot do that and suffer injuries and are fatigued too often , then it only shows your low capability and shows that your fitness is bad. Test cricket is being played since the 19th century and it does not show any such injury problem about which my opponent is talking about. It is agreed that change is essential, but it is important that the change is positive in nature and not negative. If change leads to one's own downfall or degradation then what's the point or the value of changing. In the present case, it can be concluded that test cricket is the best way to train the cricketers as it is "the game" which tests the real character of cricketers and it should be played more often to get more positive results.