By: Drcricket7 Staff
Both teams losing 20 wickets on a single day of a five-day Test match isn’t good for the health of the game. The ongoing Test match between India and South Africa in Nagpur is classic case on how the game could lose its sheen if the matches get over well before the stipulated time.
After India scored 215 in the first innings of the Nagpur Test, the Proteas were bowled out for only 79 runs. Hashim Amla and his men hardly looked like the top Test team in the world.
This was their lowest score in an innings after their comeback into Test folds. Thereafter, India were bowled out 173 in the second innings. With a lead of more than 310 runs on the second day of the Test, South Africa’s chance of saving the series is as good as over.
But Test getting over within three days is also not good for the finances of the game. So, next time when India team travels to South Africa, they will be greeted with some of the fastest pitches in the world. After that, India will vow to take revenge when South Africa tour India again. And the story will go on like this forever.
That is why the International Cricket Council (ICC) should intervene and shoulder the responsibility of putting together a system to prepare the best possible tracks for Test cricket.
To start with, the ICC needs to appoint a bigger ICC pitch committee. With every Test playing nation reluctant to do away with their home advantage, ICC also needs at least five pitch inspectors.
Like the ICC match-referee, the world body may need to post a pitch inspector in every Test venue. Those inspectors would be asked to ensure the pitches are not tampered with and the home team captains don’t impose their will.
There isn’t any rule which says that sporting wickets don’t give us results. Also, there isn’t a rule which says that only rank-turners or fast and bouncy tracks are result-oriented. The real battle of nerves can only justify on the field when there is an equal battle between the bats and ball!
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