The thrill for any cricketing team worth its salt is the thrill of winning anywhere and everywhere. In conditions that are completely alien to them and in conditions that are favourable to them. The great Australian sides under Taylor, Steve Waugh and Ponting prided themselves on winning irrespective of the nature of the pitch. So much so that the host nation was never clear on what sort of pitch would they lay out because Australia had the bases covered. Warne can take advantage of a spinning track whereas McGrath, Gillespie, Flaming, Brett Lee & a whole host of fast bowlers can take care of swinging and bouncing conditions. Their batsmen could score on all grounds. The great West Indian sides under Lloyd and Richards were similar. Their giant fast bowlers never needed any help from the pitch. It leads us to the Newlands pitch and winning on such pitches.

For sometime now, it is the South African pitches and the Indian pitches that are proving to be a bowler’s paradise. In Test cricket specifically. South Africa wants to give their quicks an abundance of assistance to enable them to prevail over their opponents whereas India does the same for their spinners. It shows in the skewed averages of Rabadda, Ashwin and Jadeja. What exactly is a bad pitch for that matter? Is it the one that favours the batsmen that one is bored to death or is it the one that assists bowlers bounce or turn? Conventional wisdom states that an ideal pitch is the one that has assistance for the fast bowlers on day 1 with day 2 and day 3 being good for batting and the final 2 days for the spinners.

Ideal pitch but only in fairytale

Perhaps, it is the ideal scenario but we are not living in such times. Test cricket is losing its value and its appeal. Actually, Test cricket outside of Australia, England and in some grounds in India, is struggling to attract audiences to the ground. The TV pictures from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies or even New Zealand will be depressing. It is hard to find even 1000 spectators watching the game. In this day and age, people just do not have the temperament to sit through 7 hours a day and for 5 days watching Test cricket. It has become a fast world in which T20 reigns supreme with so many leagues. This is the scenario in which the pitch at Newlands must be looked at.

It is not wrong to prepare such pitches provided they are not dangerous to the batsmen. The hard leather ball coming at the batsmen at 150KMPH could become lethal. A hit to the head can become fatal. Good length balls must not climb upto the head and such pitches must be discouraged but the one at Newlands wasn’t like that. Sure it had more bounce but it wasn’t the lethal sort of bounce. Yes, 1.5 days finish for a Test match is something not appreciated. Perhaps, the pitch could have been a little bit less bouncy and the game lasted for 3 to 3.5 days which is ideal.

The time to shorten is here

Test cricket is desperate for reduced time. 5 days has become too lengthy. The time has come for it to be reduced to 4 days and even that is stretching it a bit. It is time the administrators realise that the format is in the ICU. They will have to stop spreading the game to multiple frontiers because again that will make people lose interest. You do not want to see India against Bahamas or Australia against Papua New Guinea. If in the distant future, these nations are given Test status, just imagine how competitive will it be. It has been close to 30 days and yet, Bangladesh is not Test standard. If the administrators do not listen, it must be done by design. Pitches like these and the ones in India will pave the way for shorter Test cricket.

Rohit has hit the nail on the head

For his part, Rohit Sharma said that he does not mind playing on such surfaces. For sometime now, Indians do not complain about pitches that behaves in the extreme.

“I mean, we saw what happened in this match, how the pitch played and stuff like that,” Rohit said. “I honestly don’t mind playing on pitches like this. As long as everyone keeps their mouth shut in India and don’t talk too much about Indian pitches, honestly.

“Because you come here [in Test cricket] to challenge yourself. Yes, it is dangerous. It is challenging. So, and when people come to India, it is again pretty challenging as well. Look, when you are here to play Test cricket, we talk about Test cricket, the ultimate prize, Test cricket being the pinnacle and stuff like that. I think it’s important that we also stand by it.

Every time India tours South Africa or for that matter England, Australia or New Zealand, the pitches will be spiced up to such an extent that it favours the home side completely. Yes, neither the Indian captain nor the team or for that matter, the fans, have complained about the pitch. Infact, the fans have gone to the other extreme and have often said that Indians must learn to play on such pitches to be acknowledged as the best side in the world.

Wrapping up should Newlands be sentenced?

On the contrary, such pitches, so long as they are not a danger to the batsmen, must be encouraged. So must the pitches in India. Any team that wins on such conditions, can feel proud of themselves because it is that tough.

https://icricketcritique.com/the-shortest-test-match/

Explore More

The role of a cricket captain

Cricket, like any other team sport, requires strong leadership to succeed. The captain of a cricket team is responsible for more than just making on-field decisions. They are the face of the team, the link between the players and the management and the driving force behind the team’s success. In this article, I will dwell on the various roles and responsibilities of a cricket captain. The role of a cricket captain. On-field decision making One of the most crucial roles of a cricket captain is to make tactical decisions on the field. They have to read the pitch, the conditions and the opposition team and make decisions that can swing the game in their team's favour. Once these things are studied, analysed and accounted for, the crucial decision of what to do if the toss is won must be decided. Here the captain can invite free and frank discussion with the team but the ultimate decision rests with the captain. There are so many instances of the captain being vilified for choosing the wrong option after winning the toss. The most famous instance is that of Nasser Hussain opting to bowl at the Brisbane Gabba all those years ago only for Hayden, Langer and Ponting to pummel the English bowlers into submission. Once, the team is on the field, he is all alone. Sure, the captain can always consult with the teammates but the flow of the game will be such that he will be required to take instant decisions based on nothing more than a hunch. The captain has to decide which bowler to use, when to change the field and when to declare or set a target. A good captain can sense the momentum of the game and make decisions that can turn the tide in their team's favour. Team selection: The captain plays a vital role in team selection. They have to identify the strengths and weaknesses of their team and pick the right players to fill the various positions. They have to consider the pitch and the conditions while selecting the team. They also have to factor in the form and fitness of the players before making a decision. A captain who can pick the right team can give their team a significant advantage. Being the captain is a thankless job. Far too many times, they are required to take some tough decisions. That is the reason Ganguly’s and Kohli’s decision of leaving the highest wicket-taker of their sides out of the playing eleven was hard to digest. They were based on sound cricketing logic rather than anything else. Motivation and inspiration: A captain is also responsible for motivating and inspiring their team. They have to instill a sense of belief and confidence in their players, especially during tough times. A good captain can lead by example, displaying a positive attitude and working hard on and off the field. They have to encourage their players to give their best and never give up. Captains lead by example is a phrase often heard in cricketing circles. It is not without reason. Motivated and performing captains often inspire the entire team to achieve greater heights that they may not have otherwise. Media and public relations: A cricket captain is also the face of the team in the media and public. They have to attend press conferences and interviews and handle questions from journalists and fans. They have to present a positive image of the team and communicate the team's goals and objectives. They also have to handle criticism and negativity in a professional manner. Captains can never lose their composure. The media may invent non-existent rivalries or rifts. Captains will have to deal with them calmly. Role model and mentor: Finally, a cricket captain is a role model and mentor for their players. They have to set an example in terms of discipline, work ethic, and team spirit. They have to mentor the younger players and help them grow and develop their skills. They have to create a culture of excellence and teamwork within the team. Far too often, Asian teams, especially Indian teams have this habit of seniors and juniors. The Indian teams of 70s, 80s and 90s were faction driven. Juniors were not treated well and as equal by the seniors. The situation was quite bad until the turn of the millennium. Ganguly changed all that. Now, it is a team of equals. Wrapping up the role of a cricket captain In conclusion, the role of a cricket captain is multifaceted and complex. They have to make tactical decisions on the field, select the right team, motivate and inspire their players, handle media and public relations, and be a role model and mentor for their team. A good captain can make a significant difference to their team's success, and their leadership skills can be the difference between winning and losing.

Cricket, like any other team sport, requires strong leadership to succeed. The captain of a cricket team is responsible for more than just making on-field decisions. They are the face

Expanded World Cup and Conway’s double century

Expanded World Cup and Conway’s double century

The ICC have announced that the 2027 and 2031 ODI World Cup will consist of 14 teams and the 2024, 2026, 2028 & 2030 T20 World Cup will be expanded

Surprising South African win at Lord’s

Surprising South African win at Lord’s

It was completely unexpected. I had predicted for England to win the series 3-0 because of past history between the teams that includes 2 series wins for England in South