So, another Test match in Australia has finished within two days. This has happened four times there in the last few years. And we are yet to hear any criticism of the trampoline-bounce pitches that produce such results. The excuses will come thick and fast. ‘Oh, the groundsman, sorry, turf executive, got it wrong. He went by the weather forecast, which predicted some hot weather, so he left a little more grass, and that led to the excessive bounce.’ Or the other cricketing excuse that the batters didn’t have the technique to cope with the bounce and it wasn’t the fault of the pitch. This last excuse could be faintly accepted if the home team batters had batted well, but when even the home batters can’t stitch a run or a decent partnership together, then what does it tell you about the pitch?
The pitch in Mackay was no surprise. After the Aussies were humiliated by the Bangladeshis in the first Test, they were going to prepare a pitch that would be fast and bouncy. And, of course, claim that the groundsman had done it on his own and there were zero instructions from the team management. We all know what really happens. It’s just that the Indian management is open about wanting pitches to suit its bowling strength while those from the old powers will do the little whispering and nudging and get a surface that they need.
Bangladesh got Test status way back in the year 2000, but it was only after 23 years that Australia deemed it fit to invite them for a second Test series, and that too at their non-regular Test venues. India also had to wait for 20 years after its inaugural tour in 1947-48 for its second tour in 1967-68 and then another 10 years for its next tour Down Under. Thereafter, tours have been every four or five years, but now, with the TV revenues depending on whether India is touring the country or not, the old powers would love India to tour there every year if possible. That’s why there are split tours too, where there’s the red-ball series one year and the white-ball limited-overs series the following year. So, in a broadcast rights cycle of four years, there are two India tours, which bumps up the value of their broadcast rights manifold.
It will be interesting to see the report and rating for the Mackay pitch by the match referee. There’s generally been a desire among the referees to get brownie points from the media of the old powers, so it won’t be a surprise if there’s no adverse rating for the Mackay pitch just as we have seen for similar two-day finishes in recent years. But lo and behold, if a game finishes in three days in India, there will be all kinds of derogatory reports and insinuations made about the pitches, BCCI and Indian cricket. The hypocrisy is so brazen that it is simply mind-boggling. The usual excuse of ineptitude against fast bowling will be brought out. Nobody says the same when the overseas batters can’t play the spinning ball. Then there’s no lack of ability but hidden devils in the pitch.
Even today, that brainwashed thinking that a batter has to be judged by how he bats on fast, bouncy pitches prevails, while nobody even asks why lack of footwork, which is such an essential skill requirement to play spin bowling, is not considered a negative and all blame for lack of runs is put on the surface. Playing spin is a real test of batting skill, as it requires deft footwork and soft hands, while playing fast bowling basically has just two movements, either front foot or back foot. Yet lots of players with ordinary records in the subcontinent are called great by those from the old powers. Amazingly, their fast bowlers are never judged by their failure to take wickets on the so-called slow surfaces of the subcontinent. Batters not scoring runs on fast pitches are not rated, but their fast bowlers not getting wickets on slow surfaces still are called great.
Like I said earlier, the double standards are simply staggering. Let’s see what rating the match referee gives the Mackay pitch. But Indian fans, don’t hold your breath. The Aussies are breathing comfortably already, knowing there’s absolutely nothing for them to worry about.