One-day habits hampered India

India missed out on a wonderful opportunity to go one-up in the Test series. If they had, they could have dominated Australia in the rest of the series. The Australians, having lost to trans-Tasman neighbours New Zealand a few days earlier, were under fire at home from their own media. In normal circumstances, their caustic observations are reserved for the touring team as the Aussie media gangs up to become an extension of the national team’s support staff.

That did not happen as the media was kept busy discussing the merits and demerits of Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey’s place in the team. The Australians were rattled and were extremely wary of the Indians because they knew that apart from the batting, India were well-equipped in the bowling department too.

What happened was the same old story. India got the top order back in the pavilion for not too many, but were unable to dismantle the lower order. Why does this happen? The explanation is simple. The bowlers keep bowling the same length and line that they do to the top order. The lower order, not being as accomplished with the bat, play and miss or get the edges to add runs. They need to be bowled a much fuller length after a short delivery that goes past the grille. Nine out of ten times they will either try and hit it out of the ground, or won’t cover their wicket and be bowled. The field placing also needs to ensure that if there is a recognized batsman batting with the tail, then he is not given easy singles.

Unfortunately, the One-day habit comes into play and singles are conceded in trying to protect the fours. In batting too, Test cricket is about ‘unscorable’ deliveries being left alone, but again the limitedovers habit of trying to make each ball count means the ’keeper and slip cordon are kept in business. In One-day cricket playing against the white ball which does not move much, a batsman can get away with little footwork, but not so in Test cricket where the red ball moves all the time.

Sydney has been India’s favourite ground and so there is hope that a recovery can be effected. If that doesn’t happen then it will be another case of a golden opportunity lost. India have come back last year in South Africa after a first Test loss, but then again did not have the killer punch to knock them out when they had them on the ropes in the third Test. Sri Lanka have done exactly what the Indians did by winning the second Test after having lost the first Test to the Proteas, and it will be interesting to see if they can maintain their winning tempo.

Rangana Herath was the hero for the Lankans by claiming nine wickets in the Test. He has also carted the quicker bowlers for some useful runs down the order and is the CEAT International Cricketer of the Week.