The reason you're not getting what you I think you're expecting to get is because of that little
word "static". You've just discovered that static methods can't be overridden (ie. it just won't call subclass's versions, as opposed to "final" which will actually cause a compilation error if you try to override it).
So, what's happening is:
t = q;
The reference in q is copied into t, so t and q are now both pointing to the same Q2 object in memory. Note that no casting is required here, since you're "upcasting" - ie. assigning a sub-type to a super-type, which is allowed (like myAnimal = dog).
t.show();
Since Test's show() method is static,
Java doesn't look any further down the inheritance tree.
So, what's output is the "in Test class" message.
If the show() methods did NOT have static, then you would get the "in Q2 class" message.
q = (Q2)t;
Cast is needed since you're now "downcasting". OK, we "know" this instance of t is a Q2, but that counts for nothing with the compiler, since at runtime an instance of t may reference ANY sub-type of t (like saying myDog = someAnimal
q.show();
Since show() is defined for Q2, Java doesn't need to go back up the inheritance tree - it can call the method direct.
Hope this helps