Cricket: The mysterious case of Australia’s vanishing Test match v Afghanistan
On face value, Australia’s proposed Test match with Afghanistan in Perth later this year has “financial disaster’’ written all over it — but to let it vanish would be an even bigger mistake.
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Come on the West Indies. Keep it going. Test cricket needs you more than you realise.
At first glance, the West Indies rousing Test victory over England at Southampton has no connection with another Test match in Australia later this year that no-one is particularly keen to host or play.
But there is a link because it shows how much Test cricket needs surprise storylines to keep its pulse thumping in the cash-strapped COVID era.
Australia‘s first Test of the summer is scheduled to be against Afghanistan in Perth.
When the World T20 was on in October it sounded like a nice little idea to have Afghanistan stay on for a Test which would make Australia feel good about doing its duty to encourage the growth of an enchanting emerging nation of such rugged character.
But with the World T20 set to be abandoned this Test is likely to vanish into thin air.
Officials from the WACA and Perth‘s new Optus Stadium see “financial disaster’’ written all over this match and would happily shoulder arms and let it go through to the keeper.
Test cricket is easily the most expensive form of the game and the one most challenged in the post COVID era.
Even before the virus many countries were complaining about the huge costs of first class cricket where they pay for teams to visit a city for five days and get nothing back in return.
It is hard for any nation to improve in Test cricket and if you fade you can get quickly shunted to the backblocks.
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LONGER BIG BASH TRIGGERS BACKLASH FROM STARS
When the Windies were kings of cricket in the 1980s Australia played them in 19 Tests in the decade but over the past 10 years have played them only eight times and not for almost five years as their lack of competitiveness saw them discreetly sent to the back of the queue.
Which is why the Windies victory was so important because it created a massive spike of interest around the globe and enhanced their box office appeal.
England bounced back to be 3-207 at stumps on day one of the second Test at Manchester on Thursday and could easily square the ledger for the Windies are prone to letting hard fought advantages slip away in the blink of an eye.
But this little three Test series could be great for the game because there was no sense the Windies first Test win was a fluke, given it was their third win against England in their last four Tests.
The Windies got what they planned for.
A decade ago they opened a cricket Academy which sharpened their fitness, focus and techniques.
Two years ago they launched a plan to discard lightweight T20 specialists who were half committed to Tests and chose players with a strong inner drive to represent the maroon cap.
Young captain Jason Holder is close to being the best all-rounder in the world. Their coach Phil Simmons was no-one‘s idea of a highly disciplined batsman but he teaches discipline very well.
When the West Indies were in their pomp great players like Viv Richards, Joel Garner and Malcolm Marshall honed their education in English county cricket but that connection went dry in recent decades when West Indian players gained the reputation for being lazy and modest talents. But it is starting to spring to life again.
The West Indies will never rule the world like they did in that unforgettable 15 year reign between 1980 and 95 when they remained undefeated at Test level.
But if they can keep their gloves in the air they would do themselves — and the game — a massive service.
THE GOOD
Rumours that England rugby coach and former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones wants to coach a rugby league team.
In a sense he could not fail because the headlines and interest he would bring to the code would be a boon in these tough times.
THE BAD
The Canterbury Bulldogs treatment of club great Dean Pay, who took the coaching job hopelessly compromised by the financial extravagance of those who came before him and struggled accordingly. Trent Barrett has major challenges in front of him if he goes there — and will have to watch his back at the same time.
THE UGLY
The boring standard and style of play in an AFL competition which, sadly, is barely keeping its head above water despite furious efforts to keep it afloat. A decent game of AFL beats most codes on the planet — but the dreary, negative tactics of the modern game are putting people to sleep.