Did Cricket Australia’s strategy go horribly wrong

Anyone who has been watching the international cricket this summer would have noticed the difference in the Aussie pitches this year. They are far more bouncy than before. It is no coincidence that the world cup is here and that the final will be played at the MCG. The MCG pitch has been changed so much for this final that we had some of the commentators refer to it as a “slab of concrete”!!

Aussies have historically maintained a home team advantage by having bouncy pitches, arguably the worst in the world. However, with bounce, so comes danger. So we are used to seeing 3 and 4 day tests in Australia and think none of it. We also see sub-continental players breaking arms and fingers at the WACA and attribute it to brilliant, aggressive bowling.

Statistically the Aussie pitches are outliers and therefore arguably the worst in the world. Not to be confused with statements made by players about the “grounds being great”. The facilities for the players and spectators are great and the spectacle itself, is great. However, that is not a reflection of the pitch itself.

All nations adopt some form of strategy to gain home advantage. The Aussie strategy has proven to be much better than the others as it is a real challenge for a touring team to play on these wickets as proven time and time again by the 3 day tests played over here. However, the strategy does have an element of danger associated with it.On one hand, one could argue that Aussie batsmen are used to the bouncy wickets and therefore there is less danger to them, but on the other hand, it could be argued that, there are a whole lot more Aussie batsmen batting on them and therefore the chances of such an injury is greater.

The Phil Hughes tragedy could very well be the outcome of the CA strategy for the world cup. However, it might have provided the opportunity to make these outrageous pitches safer for other nations.

Safer pitches or more Aussie wins and an advantage in the world cup – I guess, knowing the Aussie psyche, it’s a no brainer.