Published: Dec 23, 2018, 02:16 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 23, 2018, 02:15 PM (IST)
The “average” rating given to the pitch of the Optus Stadium in Perth, which hosted the second Test between India and Australia, seems to have not gone down well with many former players. After Michael Vaughan of England and Australia’s Mitchell Johnson ridiculed the call made by the ICC, Indian cricket great Sachin Tendulkar has come out in defence of the surface, saying that the pitch was “by no means ‘average'”.
ALSO READ: Disappointed that Perth wicket was rated “average” – Starc
Tendulkar’s association with Perth dates to 1992, where the then-teenaged batsman scored a magnificent 114 on a lightning-quick WACA surface. Even though the Optus Stadium is not the same ground which came to be known for immense pace and bounce, the second Test between India and Australia was a reminder of the kind of surfaces Perth is known for. Taking to Twitter, Tendulkar expressed what he thought of the surface.
ALSO READ: Vaughan and Johnson defend “under-fire” Perth surface
“Pitches play a crucial role, especially in Test cricket. In order to revive Test cricket and generate excitement, we need to provide more pitches like the one at Perth, where the skills of batsmen and bowlers are truly TESTed. This pitch was by no means “Average”,” Tendulkar tweeted.
Pitches play a crucial role, especially in Test cricket. In order to revive Test cricket and generate excitement, we need to provide more pitches like the one at Perth, where the skills of batsmen and bowlers are truly TESTed. This pitch was by no means “Average”.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 23, 2018
Besides Tendulkar, Australia quick Mitchell Starc also did not agree with the ICC’s verdict. Calling it “disappointing”, Starc felt it was good, aggressive cricket even though a few batsmen took certain hits to the body, especially in the second innings. Aaron Finch copped a nasty blow to his finger, while Usman Khawaja was knocked on the helmet. That said, there were no real demons in the pitch for the batsmen, which was evident from the fact that India captain Virat Kohli scored a century.
Starc agreed that cracks opened up on the last two days but flat tracks which increasingly made cricket a batsmen’s game would then be devoid of any contest.
