Crash: ‘Lively’ Perth pitch the last thing cricket needs to worry about as Test cricket wilts

Test cricket has enough issues on its plate without being caught up in drama over the pitch in Perth. ROBERT CRADDOCK unpacks the storm in the teacup over the deck distracting the powers that be from larger problems.

THE dodgy, widely condemned Perth deck is set for a modest rating from the International Cricket Council but it is the least of cricket’s worries from this Test.

The fact that less than 3000 fans were present at the start of the last day, the mismatch between the teams, the growing rumours that Test cricket will be further marginalised by a second IPL window.

These are issues that threaten Test cricket in a way that a rogue deck just doesn’t.

In fact, it is one of cricket’s great fallacies that substandard decks tear at the fabric of the game.

You would not want five of them a summer but as a one-off theme-changer they actually get people watching.

Fox Cricket’s statistics confirmed the pitch to be the most challenging seen on our shores in recent times.

More than 20 body blows were struck in all which was, on average, twice as many as any other Australian venue.

Nathan Lyon inspects what had been called a ‘dodgy wicket’ at Optus Stadium ahead of day four against Pakistan. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images.

If people happen to be whining about the conditions – as they were with this wicked little son of a pitch – at least it means they are engaged.

As the late cricket writer Peter Roebuck once asked in Sri Lanka when a dodgy deck for one Test resulted in a fine while a flat road for another was praised “does anyone actually ask the public what they want?’’

At least five batsmen have bruises on the fingers, forearms, chests or heads as a result of a pitch which had more cracks than an Irish comedian but thankfully no-one was seriously injured.

Cricket needs wickets of character. The game has enough pancake flat roads which allow batsmen to swing with impunity and hit a ball from Perth to Fremantle.

This was a tough deck to bat on. Big deal. It happens.

What it did show was what a poor decision it was to cancel a Big Bash game because of a “treacherous’’ deck in Geelong.

Did anyone actually get a bruise batting in that game? Why could they not have simply played on? Was it any more dangerous than this deck?

KHAWAJA TO CASH IN

IN world full of slap and dash, Usman Khawaja’s obstinate 90 showed the value of the heavy duty Test match opener.

A common theme this summer has been that David Warner will be a hard man to replace. But so will Khawaja who is in the form of his life approaching his 37th birthday on Monday.

At least the opening batsman who replaces Warner will get to bat with Khawaja during the West Indies next month, then a two Test tour of New Zealand.

Beyond that, Khawaja’s future is a mystery and not even he is sure of the bottom line.

Almost certainly, Australia will want Khawaja to play on next season and it appears as if he will be offered a million dollar contract to do so.

When he retires he will head to the Fox Cricket commentary box where his candid views are likely to make regular news.

With the likes of Englishman Stuart Broad he shapes as one of the better commentators of his generation and Fox has done well to sign him.

Originally published as Crash: ‘Lively’ Perth pitch the last thing cricket needs to worry about as Test cricket wilts