Shamik Chakrabarty, Mumbai
Hopefully, the eight-member working group of the International Cricket Council, which is exploring the possibilities of having two divisions in Tests, has taken note of John Campbell’s century at Feroz Shah Kotla. If they have, the whole concept should be nipped in the bud. The most radical change in the 133-year history of Test cricket would be wonderfully lucrative for the broadcasters. But that’s not what we play the sport for.
For 273 minutes and 199 balls, Campbell channelled his inner Roy Fredericks and Alvin Kallicharran, as he scored his maiden Test hundred against a world-class Indian bowling attack, with his team following on. The West Indies opener was resplendent in his fight, grit and gumption. Him reaching the landmark offered the scenes of unbridled joy for every cricket lover. With the game’s purest format bifurcated on the basis of supremacy, Campbell would have never had such a moment.
Spare a thought for Shai Hope as well — brilliant in his determination, as he, too, refused to be rolled over.
Remember, about 40 years ago, the boot was on the other foot. A home series against the West Indies used to be the go-to option for revenue for the C-suite in English and Australian cricket. Before India’s 1983 World Cup triumph, which triggered a change in the world cricket’s landscape, the BCCI used to be treated poorly by its English and Australian counterparts. They hardly ever sent their full-strength squads to our shores. West Indies, even in their pomp, never disrespected Indian cricket. It is where Vivian Richards scored his maiden Test hundred. It is where, at Eden Gardens, Garry Sobers — unarguably the greatest cricketer in the history of the game — wowed 90,000 fans with a failed attempt to take a skier.
Old-timers still recall it. Budhi Kunderan had top-edged a bouncer and the ball went high in air towards deep third man. From his position at slip Sobers started his run, dived full-length near the boundary rope, but as his hand hit the ground, he couldn’t hold on to the catch. Eden stood up to applaud a great attempt from the greatest.
Years of institutional mediocrity has taken West Indies cricket almost to the point of no return. Their second-innings rearguard at Kotla in all likelihood is a one-off and normal service will resume going ahead. But marginalise them under the pretext of making the World Test Championship more competitive? As shallow as it gets. Sport can never be a survival of the fittest.
“I think the systems in the Caribbean are a bit poor in terms of training facilities and stuff,” Roston Chase, the West Indies captain, had said at the post-match press conference in Ahmedabad. “There’s a struggle in the Caribbean for finances. So whatever help we can get, if they are planning to get the help, I hope that we do get it so that we could strengthen the infrastructure for cricket.”
By dint of their history, the West Indies cricket demands more consideration and compassion from the game’s governing body — a bigger share of revenue. These days, they give the fans very little opportunity to celebrate their cricket. But when they do it, once in a blue moon like Kotla, the Caribbeans become the game’s joie de vivre. Even a partial resurgence of the West Indies cricket would be great for cricket.
Two divisions in Tests would slam the door shut on that possibility. The ICC should have a rethink.
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