What reasons make batting in the 4th innings so difficult?

[sourab10forever]

This may sound a little dumb but I want to know what are the many reasons that make batting that difficult in the 4th innings of a test. I know it is tough but it is very difficult to explain it to a new follower of test cricket.They ask that given they have more time and balls to play with,chasing 250-300 must be easy and they do it every now and then in an ODI match. I do know some reasons of-course but I need some more and explaination to some of these reasons as well.

1) The pitch deteriorates after two/three days of playing on the same pitch.

2)The red ball vs white ball( why?)

3)White ball is only max 25 overs old but red ball is used for around 90 overs.

 

what are the other reasons.

 

 

[Adi_91]

It is the mindset. Also chasing in the 4th innings without powerplays like in the case of ODIs and having to penetrate fields set by the opposing captain makes it harder.

 

Also, a bowler can bowl lot more overs. So, the opposing captain has more choices to stop the chasing team from scoring freely. Also, depends on the mindset of the chasing team's batsmen. 

[sourab10forever]

Just now, Adi_91 said:

It is the mindset. Also chasing in the 4th innings without powerplays like in the case of ODIs and having to penetrate fields set by the opposing captain makes it harder.

 

Also, a bowler can bowl lot more overs. So, the opposing captain has more choices to stop the chasing team from scoring freely. Also, depends on the mindset of the chasing team's batsmen. 

Good points.The more impactfull bowlers bowl a lot more.And power play too.

 

 

But I don't understand the field point of view...shouldn't it be more easy to score runs when the field is attacking.This usually happens when the opposition captain has a lot of runs to play with.

[Adi_91]

Just now, sourab10forever said:

Good points.The more impactfull bowlers bowl a lot more.And power play too.

 

 

But I don't understand the field point of view...shouldn't it be more easy to score runs when the field is attacking.This usually happens when the opposition captain has a lot of runs to play with.

That's where the mindset comes into play. Often, batsmen may not be sure if to be attacking or defensive and that one mistake can cost his wicket.

 

India in the Adelaide test in December 2014 had to contend with a 5th day pitch which was a touch low, but Kohli wanted to win and was playing beautifully. But then came the indecision of going for an attacking shot because wickets started to fall around him. Am sure had Vijay stayed longer, he would have been more calm.

 

In SC conditions, with reverse swing, batting becomes even more harder as more indecision creeps into the batsmen's mind.

[tweaker]

The pressure of playing in the 4 innings is huge.If any team is chasing around 150 runs in the 4 innings,it will start to show pressure.If the pitch is not turning too much batsman will try not to play his natural game.