Published: Jun 14, 2015, 12:54 PM (IST)
Edited: Jun 14, 2015, 01:08 PM (IST)
The balance in cricket is shifting; bowlers are taking battering across the globe, and the batsmen, not even the most technically apt ones, are making merry. It is high time for the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take necessary steps, writes Devarchit Varma.
Before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, never-ever in the history of the 50-over World Cup a double century was scored, or teams sauntered to totals of 400 in a manner so brutal that would eventually kill the bowlers still in wombs. There have been revolutionary changes in the way teams approach their cricket, and the evolution of the bats and those who wield them, spurred by the exploits in Twenty20 leagues that have mushroomed unaddressed across the world has made life miserable for the bowlers. It is time for the custodians of the game to take stock of the situation and do enough to protect the balance in the game. Read: Highest ODI totals after losing wicket on the first ball of the match
It is absolutely understandable for countries like India who have produced innumerable great batsmen but bowlers only enough that can be counted on fingers. Pakistan produces more bowlers because it has been their culture to make great bowlers. The cricketing cultures in specific pockets in the world are understandable, but there is a dire need of maintaining the balance between the bat and the ball, and it can be implemented globally only if the administrators are caring enough.
It is also understandable for the sellers of the game to have enough sixes and fours and unorthodox yet entertaining strokes in their kitty to carry out their jobs, but in the longer run, this is not viable. Quite often we are witnessing series where it makes sense to take out bowlers and put bowling machines instead — because the competition in cricket today is not between the bat and the ball — it is between batsmen of the two teams on grounds of who can hit clean, hard and long enough. Read: Test cricket points system needs ICC’s revision
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 was held in grounds where bowlers have thrived, but out of the 49 matches one can recall only two — New Zealand versus Australia league match at Auckland and Australia versus Pakistan quarter-final — wherein bowlers actually made their presence felt to a great extent. It is certainly a horrifying fact to learn that 47 games out of 49 failed to produce enough memories where the game actually lived up to its promise.
The ongoing series between England and New Zealand has sprung many surprises. England, who have struggled in recent times, have suddenly overcome their batting problems and New Zealand are showing they are no less. However, it is the bat that is doing more talking by plundering fours and sixes. Ask the bowlers and in their hearts they would be crying for some respite, some mercy. Do we want to spread cricket globally as a batsman’s dominion, or one that promises a balanced contest. Read: England vs New Zealand, 1st ODI: Records galore
The rapt of the sport lies in both the parties having their say, or else the custodians will find having run out of time to address the issue.
(Devarchit Varma is a reporter with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)
