Test cricket is still the benchmark for cricketing excellence: Gideon Haigh

Gideon Haigh 

Kolkata, Nov 20 - Twenty20 cricket tastes sweet but is "like empty calories", says Gideon Haigh, one of the pre-eminent cricket writers in the world.

"T20 cricket is like empty calories. It leaves a sweet taste in my mouth but does not harm me," said the author of "On Warne" and "Silent Revolutions".

Haigh said he can remember quality Test cricket for a period of time but forgets T20s in a day.

“Test cricket is mainly alive because players value it and Test centuries are still considered as a benchmark for cricketing excellence,” he said.

According to Haigh, Test cricket is still followed by cricket enthusiasts across the world.

"In Australia, the Ashes are in constant demand, and the Border-Gavaskar trophy (between India and Australia) is popular too."

Haigh added that Test matches need to produce results, as the fans nowadays have become more result oriented and impatient.

The Australian is on a pan-India tour, with his last stop being Kolkata, where he visited the historic Victoria Memorial celebrating World Heritage Week.