SL, WI spice up Test championship

New series from this year could not have asked for better advertisement than recent upset wins

NEW DELHI: By punching above their weight, one in unfamiliar territory as well, Sri Lanka and West Indies have again proved Test rankings don’t tell the entire story.

West Indies, widely believed to be a fractured bunch of cricketers still living in the shadow of the great past, surely in Test cricket, were barely expected to contest on an even keel against England. Sri Lanka, mauled by an Australia team smarting from a first Test series loss to India at home, arrived in South Africa knowing the Proteas have never lost a series to an Asian side. But myths have been debunked and new narratives drafted within a month.

For far too long, Test cricket has been pulled down by the divide between Asian and non-Asian teams and West Indies’ fall from grace. This season however promises change. India finally demonstrated how an Asian team can win in Australia. England won in Sri Lanka but West Indies put them in place before Sri Lanka took a least expected 1-0 lead in South Africa after consecutive series defeats to New Zealand and Australia following the 0-3 rout at home against England. The boundaries may have finally begun to blur.

DRAMATIC RISE

West Indies are in a position they haven’t envisaged in years. Defeated by Bangladesh, even forced to draw by Zimbabwe in 2017, they have suddenly raised their stocks, and how. Predicting the revival of West Indies cricket would still be a fraught exercise but at least this 2-1 win against England has shown their determination to stand tall at home in the longest format. The return of grassy pitches, newfound aggression of pacers, the flamboyance of Shai Hope, John Campbell and Shimron Hetmyer smartly complemented by the resolute batting of Kraigg Braithwaite along with Jason Holder’s inspirational leadership and all-round contribution have suddenly made a Caribbean tour one to look forward to.

That, for a change, is good news for Test cricket. With the ICC Test Championship due to commence, West Indies will be eager to start rectifying a few wrongs. And who better than current No 1 India — scheduled to tour in July — to kickstart that process? Buoyed by their fairytale win against England, West Indies will be aiming to present an entirely different face from the insipid side that lost 2-0 to India in 2016.

Sri Lanka’s administrative crisis, crazy as it may sound, is probably worse than West Indies now. Committees have been formed and dissolved without notice, selectors have been let go and coaches undermined as a result of political squabbling. Even Dinesh Chandimal, once the keeper, captain and key middle-order bat rolled into one, was summarily axed.

Slumping to discouraging defeats was but inevitable. To squeeze out a one-wicket win, that too against probably the best bowling unit in the game, is not only a testament to Kusal Perera’s character but reflective of the team’s newfound attitude. Irrespective of the result in the next Test starting on Feb 21, Sri Lanka should be better placed when New Zealand come calling after the World Cup.

The teams too are ready to battle it out. Take for example South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who wasn’t in gripe mode despite the stunning defeat. “This is what Test cricket should be. It should show people, whether it’s three or four or five days, it is still the number one format if you see games of cricket like this,” he said on Saturday.

INSPIRING LEADER

Jason Holder had induced a similar feeling a fortnight ago after scoring a sensational double century at No 8 and taking key wickets to stun England in Barbados. He was also spot in every time with DRS as West Indies won again in Antigua to seal the series before England got a consolation win in St Lucia.

India didn’t win in South Africa or England, but the series was no less exciting. A few more of these see-saw series and Test cricket won’t have to do anything extra to stay on top. The new order is still months away but with their recent feats, West Indies and Sri Lanka have raised hope that it will usher in a more level-playing field, one that will make Test cricket stronger than ever.