Death of the SSC Wicket -RIP

If there was a postscript or more aptly an obituary—that should be written after the India- Sri Lanka second test of the week gone by, it should read:

Death Announcement:

SSC Wicket: we regret to record the death of the SSC Wicket under tragic circumstances, deprived of proper care and preparation, exhausted a battery of bowlers, yielded to the battering of batsmen, drove a large family of fans and supporters to exhaustion, frustration and strangulation. The burial took place after a five-day rescue attempt. Alms-giving and requiem details will follow.

For how else can one venture to describe the tragedy that was the wicket at the SSC: a free for all for batsmen and a graveyard for the bowlers.

The centuries and double centuries scored near thousand five hundred runs in all, and only a few wickets taken with no spin or bounce —and the records on all five days —-convey a sad story that left fans in a state of grief and mourning!

Surely the preparing a wicket at the SCC for a Test Match should not be a big deal. But here we are with such discredit, with such harm being done to our reputation. A drab draw was the last thing that was expected out of this Test that that had all the promise of being exciting.

Cricketers and cricket fans were at their wits end swearing under their breath, wondering as to why or how such wickets come to be prepared for an important game like a Test match. The two teams and their coaches would not have had kind words either.

With Test cricket facing possible extinction in the face of rapid fire short games, Tests like the one we just witnessed —-nay suffered—risk being a big bore, sending cricket fans scurrying out of the venues. The International Cricket Council is under pressure for not doing things to make it interesting and exciting so that spectators would flock to watch the games.

The wicket at the SSC went to add to the woes of the ICC. From the first day it was obvious that the Test was not going to be a contest. Instead it had all the trappings of being a big bore and a yawn. And that is how it finally ended.

We had a call from a Radio Station in Melbourne, Australia after the Test. And the first leading question posed by the caller at the other end to the writer was – Do you think that wickets like the one at the SSC is going to do any good for Test cricket and is it going to bring in the badly needed spectators?

Good question, I said having no option but to add that wickets like the one at the SSC would certainly go to further kill Test cricket, and it would certainly have embarrassed the ICC who is running in circles trying to attract spectators.

‘Could we hope for a wicket that will allow a contest in the next Test’, was the next question. ‘Your question is good as mine. We will have to wait and see and I said I hope that the authorities that run the game here would have a chat with the curators and get them to do up a wicket that will allow a contest between bat and ball and not a wicket that would kill and bury Test cricket further.

‘Let’s keep our fingers crossed’, said the caller in concluding the interview after a few more questions. If he calls me again I hope I will have much kinder thoughts and positive words to express.

Spectators pay ungrudgingly to watch contest between bat and ball. And when that happens it brings out the potential in both batsmen and bowlers, with batsmen trying to out-do the bowler and vice versa.

That is what the game is all about and which the contestants and spectators yearn for.

We hope that the curators who did up the SSC wicket that heaped scorn, would take an example from the curator who prepared the wicket at the Galle International Stadium which produced interesting cricket and helped bring about a decision. I am of course referring to former Sri Lankan cut and seam bowler Jayananda Warnaweera. Those in other parts of the country would do well to seek counsel from him.

It warmed salutary, however, to hear and read Sri Lankan coach and former Australian Trevor Bayliss giving his thoughts, although it was apparent that he was pulling his punches. He asked for a wicket with a bit more grass on it so that it could have encouraged more turn, providing some assistance for the pacies, and the batsmen would have enjoyed the opportunity of the ball coming on to the bat a lot more.

Having buried the Second Test in our minds, the fervent hope is that that a similar ritual would not take place at P. Sara Stadium where the Final Test will be played. We hope that wicket will have something for both, the batsmen and bowlers of both teams. This will surely ensure a contest regardless of a decision but with a healthy spirit that will engage sponsors, fans and players alike.

With money entering the equation of cricket, regrettably, winners are heroes and losers are outcasts. But in cricket, wickets must be prepared for a fair and sustainable contest, not concerned who wins or loses.

That is the true spirit of the sport and which would also urge spectators to flock in their numbers enjoy the action and bring Test cricket alive again. We hope the encounter P. Sara will revive the flagging spirits of fans and players alike.

Statisticians or historians would be interested to know that for the first time in the history of Test cricket here and abroad two bowlers from the same school opened bowling. They were Dilhara Fernando and Dhammika Prasad from a Christian Brothers school in Kandana. They certainly did the College proud.

It was a moment of rejoicing on the final day of the Test to watch Sri Lanka’s pioneer cheerleader Percy Abeysekera and his family celebrating his birthday on the grounds with a cake being cut and served.

We would not want to hazard a guess as to birthday number what he was celebrating. Suffice to say that if the number he mentioned, and if the candles were to be lit, it sure would have required the fire brigade to blow out the candles!

However joining me were many friends wishing Percy with the rendition of the Jim Reeves perennial - may the good Lord bless and keep you… because Sri Lanka cricket needs you and your witty cheering.

Abeysekera is well-known for his witty comments, which has spectators in stitches of laughter. Out of the many, Associate Chief Executive of SLC Ajit Jayasekera while watching the Test at the SSC in the company of Bertram Jayasuriya and the writer recalled this one that was a teaser.

Seeing Percy doing his usual round shouting encouragement to the Sri Lankan players, Jayasekera recalled a typical Percy incident in Canterbury, England when our cricketers were in action.

According to Jayasekera it went like this- a British spectator who liked to annoy Percy had shouted to Percy asking him whether there are trees like this in Sri Lanka. That was because a tree on the fringes of the ground was spreading its branches on to the ground.

Percy’s retort that had spectators guffawing was- Yes. We have small trees, big trees and we also have lavatories! The Brit remained silent thereafter. Keep going Percy.