How about some more Tests in home series, BCCI?
While watching the second day’s play between India and West Indies, an interesting statistic popped up on the telly. Rahul Dravid’s career graph was shown but the one that caught eye was that of the number of Tests he has played at home to those played abroad. Of the 158 in total that he had played before the start of this game, only 68 were home games while 90 were played away.
This is a stunning statistic given that one would have expected players to play an almost equal number of games home and away – especially over a period of 15 years (Dravid started his career in 1996).
It left me with no option but to check the records for the top players from the other countries.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting’s 154 Test matches consist of 83 at home and 71 away. South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis has played 145 game, of which 77 have been at home, and 68 away. Brian Lara has played almost the same number, both, home and away – 65 to 66. Kumar Sangakkara has featured in 58 Tests at home as compared to 45 away, which means that it is only Dravid – and the other Indians like Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman – who have such an imbalanced home record.
The only reason that one can think of for this anomaly is that the Indian cricket administrators do not place Test cricket too high on their list of priorities. So, while their tours to England and Australia may consist of four Test matches on many an occasion, the home series does not have more than two or three.
Another quick check tells me this. Since 2000, India has played six away series that have had four or five Test matches while only two home series have had four games. This causes a two-fold issue – one, as aforementioned, the Indian players are playing much lesser at home than abroad. The other problem is that a two or a three-Test series against teams like Australia, South Africa and England – and Pakistan when the governments exhibit bosom-buddy-like behaviour – leaves a lot to desire for the fans.
Test cricket is a game of strategy, but it is not restricted to individual games alone. Some players are found out over the series, others find their grasp while there are some for whom the series cannot end early enough and have to be replaced. It is not only a Test of the 11 or 12 players in this case, but also that of the reserves – especially in case of a five-game series – and that of the player’s mental and physical fitness.
To sum it up, it is a connoisseur’s delight, this format, and it does make sense to have more games in a Test series. Of course, the BCCI’s financial committee will have a different view of this.
Suneer Chowdhary tweets here
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Posted by Suneer Chowdhary
on Nov 7 2011. Filed under Breaking News, Columns, Cricket News.
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