The Old Order Changeth

The West Indies had dominated the cricket scene for much of the seventies (ever since they defeated England 3-1 in 1976) and the entire eighties. There had been minor hiccups like losing in the 1983 World Cup and the World series in 1987 in Australia. However they played well consistently in tests. They were served well by their fast bowlers and batsmen. In the nineties they were still competent but the gap narrowed down. They had by now lost the services of most of their famed fast bowlers and some famous batsmen like Greenidge, Richards, Gomes and their brilliant captain Clive Lloyd had retired. Richardson was their captain and Lara had arrived. The series in Australia in 1992 which the West Indies managed to win by 2 matches to 1, included a near defeat and a one run win.
This Series can be said to mark the beginning of the end of the West Indies dominance of the World Cricket. A similar denouement now awaits Australia after the current Ashes series. They may well hold on to the urn at oval or they may not. They have fought well. They have had to face defeat in India and a closely fought draw against New Zealand in 2000-01. In spite of those close calls they rallied. Their batsmen scored runs freely and not only against Zimbabwe. But the weakness to master Bond remained camouflaged until this summer when they have had to play four quality fast bowlers, two of them capable of bowling consistently at ninety miles an hour. Just like the West Indies in 1992-93, they have fought hard and will not go down without a fight. And as long as Mcgrath and Warne are in the team and Ponting, Martyn and Gilchrist continue do play, they will be a reasonably good side. However, World Cricket will go back to having three or four sides at test level which can on their day beat any other side. Its unlikely that the Australian Cricket will disintegrate the way the West Indies have done. Their cricket is better organised to take the passing of a great generation in its stride.
History seems to be repeating itself.

The Real Cricket

Although Cricket officials and marketing agencies like to portray One day Cricket as the major attraction, especially in India,it is high time the test matches are paid attention if cricket has to retain interest in the country.India is currently ranked a poor seventh in ODIs and a healthy third in Test Match cricket.England is ranked sixth and second. Test Match cricket has catapulted cricket back to national consciousness in the UK, so much so that even David Beckham admits to watching test Match Cricket.
Backing the Indian ODI fortunes will result in the repeated failures being telecast and after a time will lead to fatigue.Inspite of our Huge TV audience, Cricket hardly gets the kind of Audience that Channel 4 got this month(13% of all UK nationals watched the Old Trafford Test).Why we have a decent Test side and a poor ODI team is something which will be evident when India is run close by Zimbabwe in the Tri series.