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A controversy that the game could have avoided
Krishnamachari Srikkanth - 26 November 2001
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© CricInfo |
Mike Denness might not be present at Centurion, but his shadow looms
large over the 'Test' being played between the Indian and South African
sides. The ridiculous decisions taken by the 60-year-old England match
referee has triggered a most unseemly and unnecessary controversy.
Suddenly the famous catch-phrase - 'Nothing official about it' - which
we have come to associate with a famous soft-drink, does not seem clever
any more.
The first blunder that Denness made was penalising more than half the
Indian team at Port Elizabeth. It was a step that lacked reason and
fairness. How else can you explain Virender Sehwag, a greenhorn who was
playing only his second Test, being slapped with an immediate ban for
excessive appealing, while Shaun Pollock, the South African captain and
a veteran of over 50 Tests, was allowed to go scot-free despite being
guilty of similar behaviour?
Denness then precipitated a graver crisis by refusing to resign as match
referee, even after the Indian and South African Boards insisted on his
removal. The former England captain surely must have known that all it
needed to ease the situation was a statement from him that he had
willingly decided to step down as match referee to protect the larger
interests of the game. But after being ham-handed, he decided to also
become pig-headed.
Moving to the cricket, I was surprised to discover that Sehwag’s name
was missing from the Indian eleven on match day. There was little reason
to keep the young man on the sidelines after the International Cricket
Council (ICC) had deemed the Test ‘unofficial’. I felt that it also
defeated the purpose of calling into question the fairness and legality
of Denness’ decisions.
The Indian batsmen, after being asked to bat, failed again. It was
another bumbling act by our willow-wielders on a good pitch. The loose
shots that Shiv Sunder Das, VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar played meant
that India again failed to post even a mildly challenging total. What
befuddles me is the reason behind the Indian failures on even good
batting pitches abroad. The pitches in this series, for instance, have
been full of runs, but we have still seen the Indians surrender meekly
on more occasions that one. The devil probably lies not in the pitches
but in the minds of the batsmen. Also, a lack of healthy dedication and
judicious shot-selection has meant that the team continues to suffer
humiliating defeats abroad.
© AFP |
For once the lower order, though, put up a fight, and that was indeed
pleasing to see. Particular mention must be made of Deep Dasgupta, who
has been one of the finds of the tour (the other of course being
Sehwag). The young wicket-keeper showed great temperament and
application. It was good to see him adapt quickly to his new role as a
lower middle-order batsman. His work behind the stumps is also
improving, and my impression is that India at last has found a wicket-
keeper/ batsman who can serve them well in the coming years. Dasgupta
now needs to be groomed with care and treated with respect.
The fightback by Dasgupta and Anil Kumble notwithstanding, the failure
of the top order has seen the South Africans race away to a more-than-
healthy lead. With enough time remaining in the game, the home side look
well on course to win the game and justify the 2-0 verdict that the ICC
have already awarded in their favour.
© CricInfo
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