It would seem by the recent results in Chepauk, Motera and Kanpur that Indian curators are struggling with the horticultural skills required to produce acceptable Test match strips. They rarely get the balance required to produce a result on the fifth day of a match.
In Chepauk, the pitch was so hard, flat and dry that a roller was an extravagance. In Motera the wicket was wet on the first morning virtually ruining the contest before the luncheon adjournment. At Kanpur, the pitch was difficult on day one due to the wildly inconsistent bounce and the match finished predictably like its predecessor, on Day 3.
It has left me wondering if it is due to climate, season or just plain old incompetence. Truly, not one pitch on the South African tour of India was of Test match quality.
In New Zealand recently, two teams with less than stellar squads were able to battle it out till the fifth day in all three Tests. There was something in the wicket for both bat and ball and although the quality of cricket was not of the highest quality they were absorbing contests for the full duration.
Likewise in the recent West Indies - Sri Lankan series both matches saw results late in the match. One late on Day four, the other late on Day five. The public undoubtedly received its money’s worth.
In Australia, it is expected that a Test match pitch will have something for the seamers on the first day, settle down and be good for batting on days two and three, with the pitch deteriorating and the spinners coming to the fore on days four and five.
Generally, despite the climatic and geographical vagaries of the continent, this is the case. A city’s test match is the highlight of the cricketing summer and a year’s planning and effort go into the pitch and outfield’s presentation. It is a matter of pride.
If an Australian curator produced pitches like those we have seen of late on the sub-continent he would be hammered from pillar to post for his ineptitude. And likely to be looking for other employment.
Test matches on the sub-continent too often are boring draws or are completed far too early. I don’t know the exact causes, although I have my suspicions.
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