Following India's emphatic 336-run victory over England at Edgbaston, Australia's captain Pat Cummins has weighed in on the state of Test pitches, drawing a stark contrast between the surfaces in the ongoing India-England series and those in the West Indies-Australia series. Cummins' comments, tinged with humor, have ignited a fresh debate about the balance between bat and ball in modern cricket.
Cummins, after leading Australia to a series-clinching win over the West Indies, couldn't resist a playful jab at the conditions in the England-India series. "I wasn't (watching India vs England), probably Marnus (Labuschagne) was, we'll keep an eye on it. Who'd want to be a bowler over there?" Cummins remarked, highlighting the disparity between the two series. He further added, "Looking at Test cricket this week over here compared to that, looks like two different sports. It looks like it is going to be a good series, 1-1 now".
The Edgbaston pitch, in particular, has faced scrutiny, with England captain Ben Stokes describing it as a "subcontinent pitch" after his side's collapse on the final day. The surface allowed India to score over 1000 runs in the match. This has led to criticism from various corners, questioning the fairness for bowlers in such conditions.
India's captain, Shubman Gill, also voiced his concerns about the pitches, emphasizing the need for a better balance. "I think there should be a little help at least. If the ball is doing something, you enjoy playing. If you know there is only 20 overs of any help, then the game loses its essence," Gill stated. He also noted the difficulties faced by bowlers in maintaining the ball and extracting movement, even for successful bowlers like Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep.
Gill's own performance in the match was record-breaking, scoring 269 and 161 in the two innings, making him the first player in Test history to score 250 and 150 in the same match. He also secured his first win as Test captain. This stellar performance, along with Akash Deep's 10-wicket haul, led India to their first Test win at Edgbaston, breaking a nine-match winless streak at the venue.
Cummins' words underscore a growing sentiment about the need for pitches that offer something for both batsmen and bowlers. While high-scoring games can be entertaining, a surface that completely negates the skills of bowlers can lead to a one-dimensional contest. As the series moves to Lord's for the third Test, there are hopes for a more balanced playing field. The match begins on July 10th.
