Sunil Gavaskar slams Test Cricket’s bias against the turning ball
The recent two-day Test in Cape Town sparked a storm of debate about the future of cricket’s longest format. Critics lamented the one-sided spectacle, blaming the pitch for being detrimental to Test Cricket. However, the criticism has been far from strong as a section of the media believes that such surfaces are what makes Test Cricket a tough and respected format.
Hence, a curious case of double standards emerges when compared to similar situations in the subcontinent. When Tests in India or Sri Lanka conclude in three days, often due to spin bowlers taking control from ball one, the outcry is extremely noisy. Pitches are readily labelled “unplayable,” boards are slammed, and accusations of doctoring fly. Yet, the rapid demise of a Test due to fast-bowling dominance, as witnessed in Cape Town, seems almost palatable in comparison.
This bias ignores the technical mastery required to bat against quality spin, as well as its ability to create enthralling battles between bat and ball. The double standard extends beyond mere perception. Spin-friendly pitches in the subcontinent are often criticized for being “unfair” to visiting teams, while seam-dominated pitches elsewhere are seen as simply challenging. This ignores the reality that each cricketing region has its own strengths and weaknesses, and pitches should reflect local conditions.
“If you cannot play on turning pitches…”
Former India captain, Sunil Gavaskar pointed this out yesterday in his assessment of the game. He slammed the Western media for glorifying seaming pitches while questing spin-friendly ones. “This is what Test cricket is all about. You are going to be tested. And I honestly believe I’ve always believed that if you cannot play on pitches where the ball turns into the batter, you know there is a tendency amongst the SENA country’s media, particularly if you think that you know, if you can’t play on fast, bouncy pitches, you’re not a batter,” the 74-year old said.
He also slammed batters who believed that rank-turners are not good for the game and added that they cannot only play in those conditions which shape their beliefs. “I’m sorry. You are not a batter if you can’t play the turning pitch because over here for the bouncy pitch, there are two movements here. There for four spinners, where the ball is turning, you’ve got to go down the pitch.”
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