So the South Africans won the 2-Test “series” as well as the 3-match ODI series. Recently, in England, we won the 2-Test “series” (1-0) and the 5-match ODI series 3-2. Now we are due to play another so-called 2-Test “series” against Pakistan and a 3-match ODI series.
Imagine, if the ultimate winner in (say) a Lawn Tennis encounter between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer is decided after 2 or even 4 sets? Similarly, why are ODI series decided after 5 or 3 games while the winner in Test matches is decided after 2 games and called a “series”? This phenomenon was referred to in this manner by TV commentators and the newspaper media when Sri Lanka played England (as above), and South Africa (3 ODIs and 2 Tests), while 2 Tests are billed against Pakistan and a 3-match ODI series shortly. How can a 2-Test encounter be termed a “series” while a 3 or 5-match ODI clash also be termed a series? Sauce for the goose…
Naturally, in modern times when the lucre of money, combined with tight itineraries, transcends all else, a 3 or 5-Test series among Full Members is not always possible though two of the “Big Three”, England and India, are currently involved in a 5-Test series. Sauce for the goose…!
During the second Test against South Africa at the SSC, the Match Referee imposed a fine on young debutant, Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batsman, 21-year old Niroshan Dickwella, for “claiming a catch unfairly” by the righteous Referee. Indeed, in mitigation, it could be claimed that this was Dickwella’s first exposure in the big league, not having previously played even in a single ODI. Strong action by the Match Referee indeed, but in maintaining high standards of decorum in the pinnacle of international cricket, this fine may be acceptable, though here was a young debutant in the throes of excitement getting the better of him in a tense moment.
Now let us look at the conduct of the 35-year old South African Imran Tahir, playing in his 15th Test match (he has also played 16 ODIs) which appears to have escaped the eagle-eyed Match Referee. Towards the end of play on Day 5, not only were the South African reserves coming on to the field with gloves, drinks etc., with the express intention of wasting valuable time (which necessitated the umpires shooing them off on occasion) but Tahir’s conduct – after having rested the whole day in the pavilion and batting for less than approximately a mere 20 minutes – took the cake. It appears that he had cramp – can one compare his fitness level with that of his skipper Hashim Amla? – and laid himself flat on the ground, thereby wasting valuable time available for the frantic Sri Lankans. Indeed it was so embarrassing for some of his team-mates that when the TV cameras panned into the Proteas dressing room, there was rampant laughter and one of his team-mates even covered his face with the T-shirt he was wearing convulsed with laughter!
No fine, or even a reprimand seems to have been imposed on the comparatively (as compared to Dickwella) experienced South African leg-spinner but, by what appears to be a different set of disciplinary measures applied by the Match Referee, the inexperienced Dickwella – on his debut, mind you – was rapped on the knuckles while the sharp South African went scot free.
Sauce for the goose should…
