“Its humongous” says Brad Haddin, “it is huge” says Michael Clarke, “it is awesome” says Hussey in the promos preceding the first Ashes test at the Gabba which are still on ESPN. My mind goes back to 1960 and the first test, though not an Ashes test but arguably the greatest test of all time between Richie Benaud’s Australians and the gentlemanly Frank Worrall’s West Indians. Now that was big! Compared to that the much hyped “clash of the Titans” (if you can call the no.4 and no.5 teams that) has been a damp squib to equal some of our firecrackers from my childhood in the November rain of Madras. On the 16th of December the teams will move to Perth, the scene of former bounce and pace. But if the first two games are any indication, Australia is dead and buried, caught between the confusion of old versus new, plaintive appeals for Shane Warne’s return which remind me of his own fervent efforts in his bowling days to get umpires to nod, Ponting’s struggles making us realize the value of Sachin Tendulkar’s longevity, spinner after Australian spinner being chosen only to be dropped, Hauritz giving away his test kit… What a time to be a pom!! “Are you England in disguise” is the barmy army’s cry and how apt it seems. Australia’s stuttering efforts remind me of the 1992 world cup that was held in Australia- arguably their worst world cup ever, perhaps only to be rivaled by what is going to happen to them in India in February, if their current losing record is any indication. Of course Australia may still win if James Anderson after his paternity leave takes a flight to Atlanta instead of Perth, Swann fractures his spinning finger on the day of the match, Hughes scores a century before lunch and Ponting bats like 2003, 2004, 2005 or 2006 and Australia fields like we all know it can. Now what are the odds of all of this happening mate?On to the real big game
On the same day in South Africa, the number one and two teams will lock horns- South Africa and India. Even with the confusion surrounding the ratings (Australia moved up a notch after losing the Adelaide test by an innings) there is no doubt that these two teams are superior to Australia at least, by far. South Africa is doing many things right and has its batsmen in form. Of course its ability to get twenty wickets will be in sharp focus, what with our best batsman (or at least the one with the best averages in the last series) batting at no.8! Their bowling against the Pakistanis albeit in the dust bowls of the Middle East was found wanting. They have in their own modest way pointed out India’s none too flattering record in South Africa to an ever obliging media which has lapped up every word. They are talking about Sehwag which is always a dumb thing to do – never sledge the opponent lest they make you grovel as Tony Greig discovered to his horror! Of course they can do one better; they can sledge Sachin and then be forever consigned to no.2 before England dislodges them!
Boring test matches, the order of the day
If Australia had not lost three wickets for two runs (what an achievement) the Adelaide test too would have been a dull, boring draw like the test match at the Gabba, the ones in Sri Lanka and the first two against New Zealand here in India. As sponsors get greedier and insist on matches not being decided in less than five days, draws are going to be the order of the day. Batting averages are going to be inflated to 55 instead of the 50 some time ago and people like me are going to switch off our TV sets. Mark my words, this series against South Africa is not only critical to these two warring teams but to the entire cricketing world. I do hope the wickets give both bat and ball a chance. If South Africa is dumb enough to produce wickets that will aid seam and swing they need to remember that Sreesanth when he is not consumed by madness, can be a force and Zaheer is arguably the best left arm seamer in the world. But it could well be a series dominated by batsmen – whether it will be Amla, Kallis or DeVilliers or VVS Laxman, Sachin and Sehwag who will call the shots will soon be known. But at the risk of stating the obvious, the team that will get twenty wickets will win and one hopes that we set to rest all the doubts that are constantly being raised, not without reason, about us being “lions at home and lambs abroad”.
Here is my prediction
I know how dumb it is to make a prediction before a ball has been bowled. India is going to play the first test without even the benefit of a practice game and we all know how lethargic we are as starters of test series. But I still believe that the Indian team like the English team in Australia has self belief. It has done many things that was only associated with the Australia of old. I think India will scrape through and if Sehwag clicks as he is bound to then we will win in a canter.
Whatever happens, I do hope that it is a darn sight more interesting than the Ashes.
Ramanujam Sridhar
CEO
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