Character versus Concrete

In 1964 Bob Dylan released “The Times They Are a-Changin’ ”, little did he know that his tune could have become the anthem of modern day cricket.

We live in an era where fast is the new slow. And rapid just about cuts it. Immediate gratification is not just a desire anymore it is a necessity.

In this changing world, cricket has certainly not been unaffected by the constantly altering lifestyle led by many people.

Technology has been thrown into the game and is just one of the ways the sport is moving with the times.

Twenty20 cricket is becoming a staple part of the fan's diet and even the playing conditions are being tweaked regularly in order to keep up with changing demands.

The renovations being undertaken at the Adelaide Oval are a prime example of the what many fans are demanding in today’s world.

One of the most enduring and picturesque grounds in world cricket is undergoing a metamorphosis into a multi-purpose stadium with a capacity of over 50 000 spectators.

The ground’s administrators have thankfully retained the tree-shaded grass bank at the northern end along with the manual scoreboard that has survived from the times of Sir Donald Bradman.

That foresight has at least allowed the ground to retain a link to its historic past.

As with all modern day redevelopments the focus has been on crowd convenience and state of the art technology.

Another major change will be the introduction of Australian Football. In 2014 the stadium will become home to South Australia’s two teams in the national AFL competition.

With the introduction of Australia’s primary football code there will be an ever-changing result. The Adelaide Oval cricket pitches, regarded as some of the finest in the sport worldwide will be ripped up and replaced during the summer with drop-in pitches.

Given the impact that drop-in pitches have had at other grounds in Australia it is near certain that the playing conditions from now on at the Adelaide Oval will change dramatically.

But what of the character of the ground itself?

It has been said on many occasions that the Adelaide Oval is one of the most picturesque grounds in the cricketing world with some believing it even surpasses the likes of Newlands which sits beneath the backdrop of the iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town, and the newly built ground in Pallekele in the Sri Lankan Highlands.

Once the construction at the ground is complete the adjacent St Peter’s Cathedral and the Adelaide skyline will be blocked from the view.

Is this a case of character being replaced with concrete?

The second Test between Australia and South Africa turned out to be one the most exciting draws in the game with Faf du Plessis assuming the unlikely role of hero.

He came up against the likes of Peter Siddle, a bowler who possesses one of the biggest hearts in the game. The duel was a classic one but ironically took place surrounded by progress and as a result a greater reduced crowd capacity.

The contrast that was the setting of the Test cannot be isolated to the Adelaide Oval alone.

The game is being forced to change but with what consequences?

There seems to be a consensus that Test cricket is still the ultimate form of the game and yet the format is being forced to take a back seat to its shorter counterparts.

South Africa are due to tour Sri Lanka in 2013. The original schedule called for three Tests along with T20’s and ODI’s. However, the Sri Lankan board has asked for the Test component to be delayed until 2015.

The reasons for this? Well one of them is because of the country’s own version of the Indian Premier League - the SLPL.

Hence, a Test series is being postponed because of a domestic league. Twenty years ago this would have been unheard of.

With the introduction of leagues like the IPL, larger stadiums, and technology is the sport losing its character?

The administrators unfortunately find themselves in a Catch-22 position. While Test cricket is still seen as the jewel in the crown and the preeminent form of the game, in many parts of the world it has become financially underpinned by the shorter forms of cricket.

As a result many grounds are being redeveloped in order to cash in on the growing popularity of Twenty20 cricket in particular.

Sadly one of the by-products is the fact that many of these redeveloped or indeed new venues will look sparsely populated when they host Test matches.

Like all global sports administrators are forced to move with the times. Unfortunately when it comes to 21st century elite sport the bottom line is just that.

Sadly the unholy dollar has affected the texture of the sport, however cricket and it’s fans need to remember that they are no orphan when it comes to this modern day trend. 

Overstepping The Line

After the first Test in Brisbane Hashim Amla said that the intimidation tactics used by the Australians against South Africa were “funny”, however he said he still enjoyed the moment and all the intensity his opponents brought to the drawn Test.

During South Africa’s second innings the Australian team were sure Amla had nicked the ball to the wicketkeeper, Matthew Wade but after a review he was still given not out. As a result he received a stream of abuse and he was not the only batsman to find himself on the end of Australia’s mean side. 

At one stage there was an altercation with Graeme Smith and James Pattinson. The South African captain was taking his time in between deliveries and was constantly distracted by movement behind the bowler. Needless to say the fiery fast bowler was not amused.

The sledging from the Australians and the rearguard action from the visitors all added to a thrilling end to the match despite neither finishing on the winning side.

Some may feel that the Australians overstepped the proverbial line while others will believe that it is all part of the game.

Amidst all the harsh words that were exchanged there was a more obvious example of overstepping the line.

The number of times the bowlers from both teams overstepped the popping crease will be a major concern.

Australia bowled 10 no-balls in the Test while South Africa amassed 23 no-balls in one innings.

As technology plays an ever increasing role in the game new ways on how best to use the available equipment are being introduced. While some sports like football are resisting the urge to use technology for reasons such as it wastes time, cricket is continually finding new places for it.

The third umpire now has a camera that is fixed on the front crease in order to check for no-balls. As soon as the TV umpire spots the possibility of a no-ball on a wicket-taking delivery he will get on the radio to the standing umpire to halt the batsman’s walk back to the dressing room. The third umpire will then verify whether or not it was a legal delivery.

Sounds like a good way to save time and in theory the correct decision will be made. But what are the consequences of the addition of this camera?

The first Test of South Africa’s tour to Australia saw four wickets taken off no-balls. None of these infringements  were called by the standing umpire. It took an intervention from the third umpire to save the batsman.

Could the addition of the new camera at the disposal of the TV umpire possibly have a negative effect on the standing umpires? There has already been questions asked about the Decision Review System and whether or not it will impact the on-field umpires confidence to make decisions.

During the Test there were other instances, besides the wicket-taking deliveries, when the no-ball was correctly called by the standing umpires, Asad Rauf and Billy Bowden.

One explanation for umpires Rauf and Bowden missing a no-ball is that they simply had a bad Test. It happens to all elite umpires.

Then again, the umpires may start to become too reliant on the ‘man upstairs’. There were more instances when no-balls were missed by all the officials and the replays exposed these errors.

If those no-balls are not called and a wicket is not taken does it really  matter? In the context of the game maybe not but it certainly could affect the bowlers.

If the bowler doesn’t know that he is overstepping the line how does he know to fix it?

Smith's New Quest

In 2009 during South Africa’s final innings of an historic series, the Sydney crowd rose to the sight of South Africa’s captain, Graeme Smith walking in to bat. He strode to the crease in the highly unusual position of number 11.

He came down the stairs dressed in his teammates clothing having left his whites at the hotel. The series had already been won after South Africa trumped Australia by nine wickets in Melbourne but Smith was desperate to save the Test in order to return home with two nil scoreline.

He batted for an agonising 17 balls with a broken hand and injured elbow but despite his heroics South Africa’s story would be written minus one fairytale ending.

The act of bravery by South Africa’s opening batsman four years ago won the hearts of many Australians and despite being an unpopular captain he silenced even his most hardened South African critics.

Smith has never been unanimously liked in South Africa despite owning an  incredible reputation as a match winner.

Smith now returns to Australian shores with Michael Clarke leading the men in baggy greens.

Clarke has also faced his own critics and was not necessarily the most popular choice throughout Australia to take over from Ricky Ponting. Yet in contrast to Smith, he has won over most of his critics in a short space of time.

Clarke’s early record as captain is impressive, having won nine out of 15 matches including four Tests against India - and added to this, his batting average has improved markedly, thanks in the main to a stunning last Australian summer.  He followed an innings of 329 not out against India at the SCG with 210 in Adelaide.

Clarke also relishes performing in front of a home crowd, boasting at an imposing average of 58.

On the other hand, despite two memorable innings, Smith’s overall record in Australia isn’t much to write home about.

Smith is yet to come up against Clarke’s captaincy in Australia and considering both players approach leadership in different ways it should make this month’s clash one to watch.

Clarke played 68 Tests under the tutelage of Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh, during which time he thrived as a middle order batsman.

In contrast Smith was given the leadership reigns after playing just eight matches which makes it difficult to know how he would do without the captaincy tag.

The captaincy style of these two veterans of the game has few similarities.  Clarke is very hands on and likes to be involved at all times. He is often seen in consultation with his bowler and wicketkeeper. He also tends to be quite adventurous in his leadership and frequently uses unconventional field placings allied to the frequent use of nonspecialist bowlers.

Conversely, Smith has often been accused of being too one dimensional and has received criticism for lacking a plan B. In spite of this Smith has lead South Africa in 93 Tests and during his reign, he and the team have enjoyed some incredible successes, not least of which came in August when South Africa beat England to secure the number one ranking.

As captain Smith has toured Australia on two occasions. The first didn’t go well for him and his team. He was regularly criticised in the Australian press for his brazen attitude and for the Proteas lack of ability to back up their words with winning performances on the field.  

Nevertheless he came back three years later and South Africa ended Australia’s 16-year record of not having lost a series at home.

In both series his opposite number was Ricky Ponting, a very experienced captain who lead his team to 48 Test victories out of 77 matches.

This time around he faces a captain who possesses a great deal less leadership experience. Clarke did however manage to outsmart the Proteas in Johannesburg last year to secure a drawn series in spite of his team’s disastrous loss in Cape Town where it was dismissed for an embarrassing 47 in its second innings.  

The three-match series which will decide the number one ranking begins this Friday in Brisbane. The Proteas will need to buck recent history if they are to open the series with a victory. The Gabba has been a fortress for Australia with its last loss coming 24 years ago at the hands of the West Indies.

On the other hand if South Africa is successful in Brisbane it is hard to see them losing their number one ranking.