The recent test matches in Ahamedabad and Kanpur in India ended in a tame draw at the former and the other in an innings victory for India. The first test at Ahamedabad had produced nearly one thousand six hundred (1600) runs for only twenty wickets.

There were seven hundreds including a double century by Mahela Jayawardena who is no stranger to it. In short the pitch on the whole was a batsman’s paradise.

The Kanpur second test had a slightly better pitch where it yielded one thousand four hundred (1400) runs for 30 wickets.

India having won the toss amassed a total of six hundred runs with three centuries; the Indian spinners turned the tide for a win before tea on the 4th day of the match.

With pitches prepared so bland and as feather bed wickets does not allow bounce and carry seam movements, Muralitharan and Harbhajan Singh were not able to do their normal tricks in Allahabad and Kanpur.

In most countries where the host take takes home advantage and prepare suitable pitches for the batsmen.

The decision to bat or bowl will depend on the toss, the weather and taking a wrong decision can sometime backfire. Badly prepared pitches either for the batsman or the bowlers should be unacceptable. In spite of the well prepared pitches in both tests the batting was painfully slow and there was nothing of an attacking style of cricket.

On an average both sides made three runs an over. With such type of batting the thrill of playing cricket simply goes away.

Dr. K.T. Ratnam
287 C Hoe Street,
London E179BG