Keep the toss, but introduce neutral groundsmen

In four out of the six Tests played in India and Australia in November 2015, no team could reach 225.

The team totals for the India versus South Africa series in the first three Tests were 201, 184, 200, 109 in Mohali; 214 and 0-80 in Bangalore before the remainder was washed out; and 215, 79, 173 and 185 in Nagpur. This works out at 18.22 per batsman.

In the final Test between Australia and New Zealand in the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide, the totals were 202, 224, 208 and 7 for 187. This works out at 22.19 per batsman.

In sharp contrast, in the second Test in Perth, Australia’s David Warner scored 253 and New Zealand’s Ross Taylor 290.

In the first two Tests in Australia – in Brisbane and Perth, where batting conditions were perfect – the totals were 4-556, 317, 4-264, 295; and 9-559, 624, 7-385 and 2-104. That is 55.43 per batsman.

You may call me a statistician, a bloody statistician and a damn liar, but the figures are for all to see and interpret the way they wish.

To me, it is clear. Batsmen these days can score heavily on flat tracks, but the moment the ball takes sharp turn or swings, the batsmen give up – blaming the pitch.

Not for a moment am I defending India for doctoring the pitches. But on similar pitches the Indian batsmen performed better than their South African counterparts, including AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, who are among world’s best batsmen.

In the first three Tests so far, India have totalled 869 runs at 21.73 runs against South Africa’s 771 at 15.42.

As I suggested in a previous post on The Roar, the ICC should appoint neutral groundsmen to supervise pitch conditions, just as they appoint neutral umpires.

These neutral groundsmen would ensure all pitches have some grass to help seamers on Day 1 and help spinners on Days 4 and 5.

The alternative – if the ICC don’t flex their muscles and enforce this rule – is to continue seeing pitches prepared specifically to support home bowlers. But if that’s the case it’s time to stop complaining about it.

Sure Ravichandran Ashwin was helped by the turning pitch in the Nagpur Test, but he could not have captured 12 wickets without accuracy and acumen.

The visiting batsmen could also have pitches prepared at home which imitate the condition of pitches they are visiting.

Some experts are suggesting we eliminate the toss and allow the visiting side decide to bat or field. But this will not help. On pitches in India, the ball turns sharply on Day 1, as demonstrated by the home spinners in the second Test in Bangalore.

South Africa batted first and were spun out for 214.

I repeat. Have neutral groundsmen to supervise pitch preparation or stop grousing.