Comments on: Green wickets are vital for Test cricket http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/02/green-wickets-are-vital-for-test-cricket/ Your Sports Opinion Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:00:18 +0000 hourly 1 By: Davido http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/02/green-wickets-are-vital-for-test-cricket/comment-page-1/#comment-126488 Davido Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:33:59 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=15768#comment-126488 Agreed. Look at the second test in SA. I watched every minute but it was deadly boring for the last two days. I wouldnt worry Geoff, the rate the game is going we will be down to 1 over a side in ten years time. Agreed.

Look at the second test in SA. I watched every minute but it was deadly boring for the last two days.
I wouldnt worry Geoff, the rate the game is going we will be down to 1 over a side in ten years time.

]]> By: Spiro Zavos http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/02/green-wickets-are-vital-for-test-cricket/comment-page-1/#comment-122716 Spiro Zavos Mon, 02 Mar 2009 06:44:19 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=15768#comment-122716 Geoff, spoken like a former (very good) fast bowler who had to labour on the slow SCG pitch. There is a limit to how sporty a pitch should be to make an interesting Test. The Wanderers, as you've pointed out, allows for good bowling but also rewards stalwart batting. This is the key. If good batting is rewarded with a predictable bounce, even if it is a bit higher than usual, and a fast outfield then we have the intriquing balance between bat and ball that makes for fascinating watching and great cricket by the batting and fielding sides. As Geoff notes, the lack of a specialist spinner could rebound against Australia. This is being written before the start of play on the fifth day with the Test very much in the balance. Geoff, spoken like a former (very good) fast bowler who had to labour on the slow SCG pitch. There is a limit to how sporty a pitch should be to make an interesting Test. The Wanderers, as you’ve pointed out, allows for good bowling but also rewards stalwart batting.
This is the key. If good batting is rewarded with a predictable bounce, even if it is a bit higher than usual, and a fast outfield then we have the intriquing balance between bat and ball that makes for fascinating watching and great cricket by the batting and fielding sides.
As Geoff notes, the lack of a specialist spinner could rebound against Australia. This is being written before the start of play on the fifth day with the Test very much in the balance.

]]> By: drewster http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/02/green-wickets-are-vital-for-test-cricket/comment-page-1/#comment-122669 drewster Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:00:25 +0000 http://www.theroar.com.au/?p=15768#comment-122669 Couldn't agree more with you Geoff. As much as we all like to see a contest last 5 days there has got to be something there to keep the bowlers interested, A strip with a little bit of life in it keeps the game alive as has been shown in this 1st test in Johannesburg. If you are good enough you will have success, If you are having a bad day you get found out. That is the way a Test Match should be. The batsmen have enough in their favour already these days (Boundary ropes, Limited bouncers) Even up the playing field and selectors might start to pick balanced squads. Couldn’t agree more with you Geoff. As much as we all like to see a contest last 5 days there has got to be something there to keep the bowlers interested, A strip with a little bit of life in it keeps the game alive as has been shown in this 1st test in Johannesburg. If you are good enough you will have success, If you are having a bad day you get found out. That is the way a Test Match should be. The batsmen have enough in their favour already these days (Boundary ropes, Limited bouncers) Even up the playing field and selectors might start to pick balanced squads.

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