It’s common thinking in cricket that every team must make the most of local conditions. It’s also the prerogative of the home side to prepare wickets to suit their strength.
While I certainly do agree with the logic to some extent, I feel that over the years we’ve simply taken things a bit too far. So much so that touring teams are now more than prepared to face whatever is offered to them. In short, they do their homework well in advance.
And this Australian side are definitely no exception.
That they’ve come well prepared was evident in the just-concluded Bangalore Test. Despite being underdogs before the match began, they gave a fitting reply to the Indians who believe they can win matches on doctored wickets.
One of the finest administrators in India, Brijesh Patel, who for long has been honorary secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), has always been of the opinion —- and quite rightly so —- that Test cricket must be played on true wickets.
That’s precisely why he hired the services of a New Zealand curator to prepare three of their wickets which would have good carry.
But though the KSCA track turned out to be a good one, I guess he had to obey the Indian think-tank to (under) prepare the wicket to suit their spinners.
The result? Man to man there’s little doubt that India are a better team, but the Aussies almost ran though the formidable batting line-up.
History will tell you that all along India have dished out under-prepared tracks to suit their spinners. More often than not, the ploy worked, especially against England or the West Indies. But, whenever it’s the Aussies we’ve been up against, the gambit boomeranged.
I vividly recall the Test series between the two teams back in 1969. Ashley Mallet ended up going home with 28 wickets, far more than the famous Indian spinners.
What’s more, India even lost the series. And yet, a good four decades later, we continue to underestimate the Australians.
Knowing full well that they would get turners in India, the Australians are here without a quality spinner. I guess that’s because their cupboard, as far as spinners are concerned, appears rather bare. However, they did send a couple of newcomers (batsmen) to India with the Australia A team to get used to the conditions. And, mind you, both batsmen did play exceedingly well in the Test match. There’s no doubt that their planning was spot on.
Finally, let’s spare a thought for the paying public too. A lot of fans would take great delight in a Rahul or a Sachin or a Ponting batting with gay abandon, rather than watching a Brett Lee or a Zaheer Khan spell.
They don’t want to see great players struggling for runs! They surely don’t travel miles and cough up tidy sums to see a wicketkeeper struggle to stop deliveries that come to him after they bounce thrice.
It’s time we think positive, and give the spectators their money’s worth too.
