Ponting and Tests need to fire

Sorry that it’s taken an eternity for this post to finally be up, but I believe fate and a hammerhead yak have conspired against me.

I was absent, for Cardus was in Wankhede recently pretty much demanding a little known Mr. Tendulkar to score a 100 runs along with about 32,999 other Indians. When this did not happen, they too blamed the fates and a hammerhead yak for having conspired against the man and stopping him from getting a 100^th international century, a feat so elusive it has yet to occur in the known history of space and time. Thus, if he were to get those six measly runs, this would make the occasion as rare as the Big Bang and the creation of life.

But that was last week, when my word puncher and electricity would not let me reach out to you. This week carries a different agenda. As you may have noticed, Test Cricket has become edge of the seat stuff again, with the series of South Africa Vs. Australia and the last match of a dead rubber between India and the West Indies providing close finishes. One must remark that this only happened as the bowlers were able to battle it out on even terms with batsmen again and look how much joy that has brought. Thus, it can only be hoped that the series between Australia and their Tasman rivals can keep the momentum going and put bums on seats. This needs to keep the interest levels high for what must be the main event of the Australian summer, a clash of no.2 Vs no.4 (doesn’t say much considering there are only 10 ranked teams, but still).

But the more immediate question on everyone’s minds must be whether this is Ricky Ponting’s last summer in International colours. In a game now consisting of players with new age sensibilities and well moisturized profiles, his steely glare, iron jaw and constant scowl are a throwback to the days when cricket was a sport played by unpleasant, sweat encased, bearded men. And surely, even though it has been predicted for a long time coming, seeing this man walk in to the sunset would be more bitter than sweet.

This is where cricket is not just a sport but a dramatic rendition of those in the spotlight.The series, which starts tomorrow, would be followed by cricket enthusiasts over the world not for a 100^th hundred, but for an emotional glimpse into what could be the final days of a batsman, who in his prime, was second to none.