Melbourne Test

The verdict of the 4th Ashes Test series played at Melbourne Cricket Ground has raised many questions about the fairness of Test cricket. This Test ended in less than 2 days, 36 wickets tumbling in almost 6 sessions. On Day one of this Test a record 20 wickets fell in Melbourne and 16 wickets on Day 2 to enable the England team to avoid another whitewash Down Under.

Now the moot question is whether a two-day Test cricket is good for the Test cricket, which is already in ICU. Cricket is a game of fairness between bat and ball. But in MCG the balance was totally destroyed by pace bowlers. Incidentally, there was no spinner during this Test, which is rare.

Ironically, just a month ago, the Eden Gardens, Kolkatta pitch was heavily criticised by eminent cricketers/commentators, because it was a "Rank Turner" that helped spinners. However, this MCG pitch had too much grass to help the pace bowlers to finish the game in just under two days. If the turning wicket at Eden Gardens could be considered "BAD", how could the MCG green track, where batting was premium, be considered good? In fact even the Perth Test ended in under 2 days.

Such double standard is not good for Test cricket, which is dying slowly and steadily. If the ICC is keen to promote Test cricket, they should intervene to ensure sporting wickets to promote Test cricket and not to allow it to DIE!

Vinay Mahadevan,
Chennai, India