Good to see Test cricket getting result oriented

Test matches are finishing in three days now. At Perth on a fast bouncy pitch Australia demolished India and won just after lunch on the third day and in Dubai on a pitch which was exactly the opposite of Perth, Pakistan won towards the end of day three. If pace did it for Australia, it was spin that saw Pakistan beat the number one ranked team in the world.

What it shows is that with the advent of limited overs cricket, Test matches also are getting result oriented and spectators get their money's worth. The
broadcasters who pay hefty sums to bag the rights will feel the pinch more because they are missing out on the commercial opportunities for at least 180 overs that still were to be played when the game finished in three days.

Australia went in with a four pronged seam attack and so did India, difference being that Australia's pacers pinned India's batsmen on to the crease and then got them sparring at deliveries around the off stump, while the Indian seamers were whacked for huge sixes by David Warner as if they were spinners. Warner also copped a hit on the helmet and then on the elbow both of which hurt, but he carried on and inflicted more pain on the Indian bowlers. In both the innings that India played in Perth they were unable to reach Warner's score of 180.

This has been one of the most distressing aspect of the tour where two of the highest run getters in Test cricket and two more with over 8000 runs in Tests have not clicked for India. Altogether the Indian batting lineup boasts of having more than 50000 runs under their belt, but the team has barely crossed 300 runs in an innings in their last seven Tests outside India.

Pakistan's last series with England was controversial with the spot fixing issues, but it is good to know that it won't be brought up in the current series by the players and the media. While it is crucial to remain vigilant at all times, it is important for the game to move on.

England's record in the subcontinent has not been good and on a slow turning pitch they were bamboozled by Saeed Ajmal, who is a late starter in Test cricket. England play from the crease and that allows Ajmal to try his variety. England have some terrific batsmen, but unless they use their feet they will find
themselves in trouble. With plenty of Tests coming up in the subcontinent, England must address this aspect of their batting if they hope to be able
to retain their number one ranking.

Saeed Ajmal, who spun a web around England's batsmen and helped Pakistan register a comfortable win in the first Test is the CEAT International
Cricketer of the Week.

Professional Management Group