Only a Test match can produce this sort of magical cricket alchemy

THOUSANDS of cricket fans streamed out of Trent Bridge yesterday afternoon, giddy with excitement at what they had just witnessed.

And it wasn’t only because they had been able to enjoy a day of Test cricket between England and New Zealand free of charge.

That was an extra bonus courtesy of the smart-thinking management at Nottinghamshire CCC, who could sense the added value of having a full house for a grandstand finish.

The real thrill for the fans came from the cricket on show.

The entertainment that had been provided by both sets of players, who only had one thing on their mind from the toss.

Winning.

That positivity doesn’t always translate into a game as full of action and quality as this one.

But thanks to a terrific pitch, a fast outfield and five days of fine weather, it was cricket alchemy.

The pitch was described as “flat” by some, but it had pace and bounce which are the main qualities bowlers are often looking for.

When the ball was hard, it moved sideways off the seam and kept the bowlers interested. But it also flew to the boundary from the merest push out of the middle of the bat.

That is why both teams were able to score well in excess of 500 runs in their first innings – and why no target would be safe in the second.

It has been a long time since the bat has largely dominated the ball in a Test match in England like this... even if bowlers would like you to think otherwise. For several years the swinging Dukes ball has caused mayhem for top-order batters, and it will do so again.

But this week has provided a reminder of just how special Test cricket can be, with opportunities for every player to shine, two teams evenly matched and happy to trade blow for blow in front of an adoring crowd.

On the same day the ODI team left for the Netherlands, there will be plenty of focus on white-ball cricket later this summer – both internationally and domestically.

But will any of those games resonate as much as this thrilling Test at Trent Bridge? I doubt it.