One of the game’s hot topics, ‘the death of Test cricket’, was again brought into the limelight following protests prior to the start of the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.
Channel Gem reported encouraging viewing figures from last night, however, with almost 900,000 Australians tuning in to watch the baggy greens take control of the ‘dead rubber’ match, throwing a tenuous lifeline to the sport’s dying format.
Analysts are yet to confirm if these figures are in anyway related to the public’s growing intolerance for home renovation and cookery shows, with regular viewers reportedly perceiving Test cricket as a slightly more productive alternative to self-harm.
I’m being facetious of course. I love Test cricket and definitely don’t want it to die. But with the ECB ordering groundsmen to change the natural playing conditions of grounds to suit their team’s skill set, calls have been made that they are jeopardising the spirit of international cricket. After two three-day Test matches in a row, is the five-day format shooting itself in the foot?
While the global T20 movement gains momentum, stories continue to emerge of Test cricket’s decline. If the ECB is serious about preserving the sport’s longest form of the game, they need to start acting within its integrity.
Part of the tradition and heritage of Test cricket stems from the unique characteristics and playing conditions each venue holds. By changing these conditions they are contributing to the loss of that venue’s identity.
You would have been forgiven to have thought you were batting in India given the dryness of the pitches in the previous two Ashes tours – curated to benefit the spin of Graeme Swann of course.
Chris Rogers viewed the situation pragmatically:
“It’s difficult. You only have to look at the past two Ashes series and the complete difference in the England wickers that have been prepared – and that’s their prerogative. You’re going to tailor the conditions to help your side. It’s up to other sides to adapt and get better.”
Protest initiators Sam Collins and Jarrod Kimber co-wrote the cricket film, ‘Death of a Gentleman’. Their main contention is aimed towards cricket’s administrators and the uneven distribution of the game’s revenues. Demonstrations at The Oval were intended to highlight the fact that cricket is being run by individuals who have shown they cannot be trusted to represent the sport’s best interests.
It’s difficult to say that the ECB have acted within the interests of cricket this series, especially considering terms like green monster and juicy green top are becoming regular descriptions for the tour wickets.
In contrast Darren Lehmann criticised SCG pitches in 2014, which led to a three-day finish in the last Ashes Test:
“Finishing in three days is disappointing for the crowd more than anything else. It’s disappointing… The SCG I remember was a good wicket and spun days four and five so hopefully we can get back to that at some stage.”
While pitch conditions would have been low on the list of Collins and Kimber’s priorities, nations still have a responsibility to produce a fair playing surface if Test cricket is to maintain its credibility.
Australia have always prided themselves on curating fair cricket pitches. It seems like they are part of a dying breed.
#ChangeCricket
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
While a premature retirement isn’t the solution, he or England want, he may be forced into it if he can’t maintain a long run of matches.
Check out some of the short-arm pull shots from Rocky Flintoff!
Harshal Patel was not a happy man!
David Lord has been remembered as an icon of Australian sports journalism following his death, aged 84. The renowned writer and broadcaster was an…
Sign the man up for a contract next season!
A brutal century by Travis Head has blasted Sunrisers Hyderabad back into the Indian Premier League play-off places in another match for bowlers to…
