Team India was mauled comprehensively in the 1st Test and today the 2nd Test started at Cape Town in South Africa. If the same had happened in Indian soil, the whole media, Ex-Cricketers, Commentators, Critics and who-else-not would have filled up the social media with criticism calling is a mine-field or a dust bowl.
The Dust Bowl was the name given to the drought-stricken southern plains region of the United States, which suffered severe dust storms during a drought in the 1930s. As high winds and choking dust swept the region from Texas to Nebraska, people and livestock were killed and crops failed across the entire region. The Dust Bowl intensified the crushing economic impacts of the Great Depression and drove many farming families on a desperate migration in search of work and better living conditions.
By this
time (9 pm) many would have searched for and read about Test no. 28 - 1st Test,
Lord's, July 16 - 17, 1888, Australia tour of England
Newlands, home of Western Province Cricket, has been described by many, together with the Adelaide Oval in Australia, as one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the World. Nestled behind and at the foot of Table Mountain it is one of the most picturesque places in the world to watch cricket. The 2nd Test is being played here !
It is common to hear and say that the BCCI has been making so much more money for so much longer than the next-richest board that it should put on the park a side that wins everything. The point has been reiterated in the aftermath of the loss in Centurion. .. .. and everyone who can write will rise to criticize the BCCI as earning crores and not placing enough on Cricket ground !! – how many voices heard against SA Board and Newlands Ground today ?
In the
previous test at Centurion, India's bowlers were criticized as not being able
to draw the same amount of seam movement or uneven bounce as South Africa's
bowlers. It is a function of the height of the bowlers and also the ability to
bowl in the 140s kph consistently wrote pundits.
Today a
different story ! life changes in fast lane.
Only
four times in the entire history of Test cricket - which spans 146 years and
over 2500 matches - has there been more damage done than that. There is already
talk around the nature of the pitch and it is valid. Cape Town has been home to
variable bounce and borderline seam movement that is borderline excessive.
India needed just 23.2 overs and two hours on the first morning to skittle South Africa for 55 - the lowest total by a team against India in Test cricket - after losing another toss on tour. The hero was Mohammed Siraj whose figures read : 9-3-15-6 !!!!!
- and Indians in a hurry took the first innings lead in 9.4 overs – the going was too good then India collapsed so badly losing 6 wickets for 0 runs - from 153 for 4 to 153 all out ! Jaiswal did not trouble the scorers but was out at 17; Rohit (39) fell at 72; Gill (36) at 105; Shreyas Iyer (o) at 110; KL Rahul (8) at 153; Jadeja (0), Bumrah (0), Virat Kohli (46), Siraj (0), Prasidh Krishna (0) – all fell at 153!
The scorecard at close of play on day 15 at Cape Town reads : South Africa 55 & 62/3: India 153 – SA trail by 36 runs ! – All in a day !! Whom would you blame the batsman? Praise the bowlers or blame the dustbowl !!
Centuries ago in 1888 - Australia won by 61 runs. Although of course it was seen that the Australians were by no means equal on their merits to the best team in England, there was a considerable amount of anxiety as to the result of the first of the three great Test matches. On day 1 Australia were all out for 116 and England were 18/3 with WG Grace unbeaten on 10; On day 2 England lost their remaining 7 wickets to close at 53; Aussies were bowled out for 60 and England bundled out for 62.
With regards – S Sampathkumar
3.1.2024
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