Test cricket (and the game) is struggling

Ricky Ponting


CRICKET is in worse trouble than the financial markets and nothing seen at the Gabba is going to brighten its mood.

Although the contest has been tight, with the seamers flourishing and the batsmen struggling, the match has stuttered along before mostly empty stands.

Meanwhile, in Bloemfontein, Bangladesh was struggling to take its match into a fourth day. In Harare, the Sri Lanka spin twins had caused almost as much pain as the Zanu-Pf thugs who routinely drop hot plastic on to the bare backs of citizens unable to sing their theme song.

Of course, the game turns a blind eye.

Cricket yearns for a gripping struggle played to a high standard between well-matched teams. This Test has been accident-prone and mostly second-rate.

As every month passes, the position deteriorates. Test matches are rearranged to accommodate dubious 20-over shenanigans, bound to attract as much interest among bookmakers as supporters. Players grizzle about their load and then accept lucrative offers to play an extra month. Matches are staged between uneven sides supposedly in the name of spreading the game but actually to create the illusion of competition. And the show will go on. Cricket is becoming little more than showbiz. With so many snouts in the trough it can hardly stop. A game needs to be loved, not raped.

At least this match has been keenly contested. Anyone studying the scoreboard might suppose that pitch was as reliable as an American bank. Ordinarily, the news that 24 wickets had tumbled in two days leaves curators scratching their heads and referees filing reports. However, the track merely contributed to the clatter. By the second edition of a fretful contest, it had settled down to give both bat and ball a chance to prove their worth.

Credit must be given to both sets of pacemen for maintaining their stranglehold. Brickbats must be bestowed upon willow wielders unable to adapt to these conditions.

A properly constructed order would have expected to approach 300. The ball is allowed to swing. Batsmen are supposed to adjust.

The Kiwis batted abysmally, thereby undoing their good work of the previous day. Bats were hung out to dry like laundry on a line, heads were lifted at the moment of impact, feet failed to move into position. It was an inept display and their subsequent fightback said much about them. New Zealand's batting has been decimated by injury and early retirements as players seek the riches denied them in their homeland. Jacob Oram and Scott Styris count among the notable absentees. About the only ray of sunshine was the resolute hand played by Daniel Flynn as the Kiwis were again sustained by a novice. When next Australia will look towards youth is hard to predict. The greying is part of the problem. Flynn ought to bat above Brendon McCullum, an operator better suited to counter-attacking further down the list. Not even a combative visiting captain could save the day. Ordinarily as hard to shift as red wine from a shirt, Daniel Vettori offered a lame catch to cover. New Zealand missed its chance to lead by 100.

Admittedly, the Australian pace quintet did make the batsmen work for runs in a much-improved display. Among them, Brett Lee was impressive, running smoothly to the crease, attacking the stumps, finding his rhythm, keeping a fuller length and worrying batsmen with late movement. Shane Watson was the other leather-flinger to catch the eye. Gripping the ball more lightly and adding a reliable inswinger and a deadly leg-cutter to a previously limited repertoire, he was a handful. Stiffness is his weakness and he ought to take more fish oil. Both looked happy in their work, a sign that all was well in mind and body.

Nothing appeared more certain when the Australians batted a second time than that they'd build an imposing total, thereby crushing the hopes of a fraught opponent. Instead, wickets kept falling. The sun was shining and the pitch had lost its sting. Instead, the Aussies were wanton. Admittedly, Matthew Hayden had the misfortune to encounter a tester as soon as he took guard. As Brad Haddin could confirm, cricket frowns when a smile is most needed. Michael Hussey was also unlucky but needs to review his method of leaving the ball alone. But Ricky Ponting had only himself to blame while Michael Clarke's running lacked desperation.

All things considered, it has been an interesting as opposed to compelling contest, notable for the tenacity of the visiting team and the fragility of the much higher-ranked host. Periods of exceptional play and instances of outstanding character have been few and far between. Still the contest is evenly poised. Perhaps a fascinating match will develop over the next few days. The Australians are under pressure. So is the game.