Ok, Close your eyes. Take a beath. For just a second...
Flashback to around 6:45pm Sunday the 6th of the new year. Michael Clarke runs into bowl and takes a wicket that crystalises the finish to one of the most memorable modern day tests.
Decided in the last ten minutes of the final day, against the pressures of news tv and ratings, the two present superpowers of cricket are pitted against each other on one of the biggest stages; ANY cricket fanatic could harldy be but spellbound by the ball-by-ball darma. And it had been like this for FIVE DAYS!!!
Sufficce to say that a few notable present Australian cricketers have said that this rates with the 2nd test comeback v ENG last year. And a others might say this is their best ever win.
What a contest. Really, no-one was a passenger. EVERY wicket, every run had a tale. Tons by Symonds, Laxman, Tendulkar, Hayden, and Hussey. Outstanding rearguard innings under pressure by Hogg and Harbhajan. 1000+ runs in the first 3 days. Wickets by Lee, RP Singh, Harbhajan, Clark et al. Rejoice the game that holds us all in such captication for 5 days. What other sport can announce such a claim!
And yet, with such joy, comes such heartbreak, such sorrow. And it's unfortunate cousin; finger pointing and blame-laying...
The Indians are BY FAR the most gentlemany guest to our cricketing shores in many a long year. Never have compatriots been under such scrutiny by their own countrypeople, yet so composed as we know it is here. That, as Australians, demands an understanding on the grounds of the bollocks. That stone was locally quarried by AB, carted by Tubby and cut by Steve Waugh.
And no-one can complain the want of a contest. Remember 2005? the Ashes? I recall a bitter loss, but i also remeber the actual FEELING of the game. The fact there was finally a CONTEST. It's now rare.
Look, to come to a pont. Umpires make mistakes. And maybe it's a thing of nature that the home team gets the run of the green. That's what makes winning away so sweet when you get there.
Things have been said, decision mades - all of which can't be taken back. But maybe this is better that a 5-0 whitewash vs the Shettland Ponies Club Open 12? What other game has been so discussed recently?
Having said that, once the dust has settled, people might reflect and wish they had it over again...underarmbowl...
But should a fielder appeal to the umpire for a field catch in the same way umpires are asked to adjudicate on fine catches by the keeper, and LBW. Or should we allow the slo-mo replay to 'clarify' the outfield catch along with the stumping and the run out?
Questions not easily answered. Maybe Technology!! Yeah, but interpretation... Think Hawkeye. Super slo-mo. And let's throw in claims of 'depth-of-field', 'benefit-of-doubt', etc. All just and fair.
Suffice to say, I have doubts. Should M. Clarke have claimed THAT catch? Should A. Gilchrist or A. Symonds have appealed for THAT caught behind v Dravid 2nd innings?
Have I lost a little bit of faith in the presnt and future state of Aussie cricket? Maybe . . .
I hope not...
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