Track Statistics!


They say the matches are won in the mind and by playing hard competitive cricket. Pitches really do not matter much.

Is it?

In the recently concluded series pitches were different on all three occasions.
Starting the first match with a perfect placid track which became memorable with Sehwags triple century , ended in tame draw , then came the strip where the South African pacemen exploited the conditions which are very similar to what they find at home .So much so that Indians were bundled before lunch on the first day with the match producing the result in three days .There was an anticipation the Kanpur track will be definitely a turning one giving the advantage to the hosts .On the first day it showed signs of up and down with the ball keeping low in the first session itself , really testing the batsman’s judgment about the bounce and adjustment that he is willing to make .

India had to win this game to square the series and hence there was an anxiety to produce a track to suit the hosts. India went into the game relying on their strength that is spin and again almost got into the jail, had Ganguly not played one of his best innings and tail wagging with India gaining a decisive lead
This series also showed Test cricket is all about wining as many as sessions as you can.
Alternately, one bad session can ruin the entire good work done, with South Africa suffering the fate in the last test.
There is no doubt that the home team would like to have the first mover advantage by preparing a track which would suit them .. More often than not captains, coaches and if that is not enough, the media with the traveling team joins in to add fuel to the fire. The touring team should always be prepared for this reality

However ,one must give credit to the Smith for not complaining one bit about the surfaces they got which is in stark contrast to Ricky Ponting’s team which lost the Mumbai test on a dustbowl

Well played South Africa!