SL, WI spiceup
BITE OF UNDERDOG 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 nonasian 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.
MARK WAUGH 116
vs South Africa, Port Elizabeth (March, 1997)
After being skittled for just 108 in their first innings, Australia were left needing 270 to win. The tourists were in early trouble at 2-30 when Mark Waugh arrived at the crease. Across 228 deliveries and for almost six hours, Waugh stood tall in what he later described it as his finest innings. The gifted right-hander’s knock helped Australia seal an unlikely victory.
MARK BUTCHER 173*
vs Australia, Leeds
(August, 2001)
The Aussies took a 138-run lead and scored another 176 in quick time, leaving England needing 315 to win. The hosts fell to 2-33 but on a wearing fifth day pitch, against Glenn Mcgrath, Jason Gillespie, Shane Warne and Brett Lee, No.3 Mark Butcher defied the Australians, finishing unbeaten on 173 off 227 deliveries as England got home by six wickets.
JUSTIN LANGER 127 & ADAM GILCHRIST 149*
vs Pakistan, Hobart (November, 1999)
At 5-126, chasing 369 on a wearing fifth-day track against an attack containing Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar and Saqlain Mushtaq, Adam Gilchrist proved that he was a man for all seasons. Playing just his second Test, the keeper-batsman batted in his customary aggressive fashion, teaming up with the irrepressible Langer on the fourth evening, to hand his side the win.
GRAEME SMITH 108 & AB DE VILLIERS 106*
vs Australia, Perth (December, 2012)
Needing 414 to win, Graeme Smith led his side with a brilliant attacking hundred, setting the tone for what would become a historic run chase. He was out for 108 with the score at 172 but AB de Villiers picked up the slack as only he could, making a composed hundred to lead South Africa to their first Test win at the WACA.
KUSAL PERERA 153*
vs South Africa, Durban
(February, 2019)
Playing the Proteas for the first time, Kusal Perera stood tall in the first innings by top-scoring with 51 in his side’s total of 191.Sri Lanka, chasing 304 for victory, stumbled to 3-52 and their fate looked all but sealed at 9-226. The left-hander however, managed to keep most of the strike and played some audacious strokes, raising an unbeaten 78-run last-wicket stand with Vishwa Fernando – a first-class record for the tenth wicket in a winning cause – to script a sensational onewicket victory.
BRIAN LARA 153*
vs Australia, Bridgetown
(March, 1999)
In Barbados, against one of the most dominant teams in history, Lara took it to the next level. West Indies had been set 308 to win the third Test against Steve Waugh’s Australia in a series that was locked at one-all. On the final day, with his side teetering at 5-105, Lara unfurled a series of dazzling strokes. After Jimmy Adams’ fall, Lara pressed on with the tail. With scores level and the Windies nine down, Lara finished one of the greatest games in Test history with a trademark flowing cover drive.