The second Chennai and first Ahmedabad surfaces were otherworldly, the colour and texture of Mars, testing batsmen’s techniques and finding them unsurprisingly sub-adequate. Some of the batsmen – from both sides – have been bolting forward and hurling their bodies at the ball as if to smother a fire. Others have gone so far on the back foot they are almost playing from behind the stumps. In every case, it has been a fascinating examination of temperament and skill.
Is it fair for countries to manufacture conditions in the home team’s favour? Most do. When it comes to pitch doctoring, England are one of the worst offenders. Australia, due to the pig-headed independence of its curators, are the exception. Even those of us who are not flag-wavers for Australian cricket acknowledge that our pitches are constructed without bias, much to the chagrin of home captains. Australian curators won’t be bossed.
Eventually, the idea took hold that cricket was better when batsmen were on top. Crowds worshipped batsmen. Money steered this direction, of course. A batsmen’s game lasted longer, generated more gate takings, and so it went.
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