Demerits merit sporting pitch

Normally the issue of the wicket before a Test match comes as first-hand knowledge for the rival teams to fine-tune their game plan. And over the years host teams have prepared wickets to suit their style. But after the drawn first Test at Chittagong, Bangladesh are certainly not in a position to tinker with the Mirpur wicket so that they can take advantage against Sri Lanka.

With the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium pitch in the port city labeled "below average" by the ICC and receiving one demerit point, which will remain on its record for a five-year period, the Bangladesh Cricket Board is certainly not in a position to make the Mirpur pitch another 'safe haven' for batsmen.

In his remarks about the Chittagong wicket, match referee David Boon said: "The pitch provided no seam movement to the fast bowlers with the new ball and also lacked carry and bounce throughout the match. The pitch did offer occasional slow turn for the spinners early on, but it did not deteriorate as much as would have been expected as the match progressed, resulting in a pitch that too heavily favoured the batsmen across the five days."

What Boon did not say was that the Chittagong wicket was the complete opposite to Newlands in Cape Town, which was extremely dangerous for batsmen and received two demerit points. The demerit points, which came into effect from January this year, are a good introduction in the attempt to create a more level playing field. According to the new system, if a venue reaches a total of five demerit points during the five-year period, it will be suspended from hosting any international cricket for 12 months.

This might not be a big problem for big teams with many venues. But for Bangladesh, which has two international venues of repute, demerit points can be a big concern.

Last year, when Bangladesh won their first-ever Test against Australia at their home of cricket in Mirpur, they were served with a caution for poor ground conditions. Luckily the most used venue escaped unhurt as demerit points were not in play at that time.

The paying public certainly does not want a dull and boring Test match like the one in Chittagong where there was nothing for the bowlers. A draw can be exciting in a Test match but not a draw that is written on the wall from the first ball of the opening morning. It's not that the Chittagong wicket is historically benign. It is the same ground that offered one of the most exciting games in the annals of Test history when England beat the home side after a fascinating battle.

The wicket at Mipur also served as a true entertainer when Australia toured here last year. This is a kind of wicket that tests the skill of batsmen and bowlers alike. And more importantly it serves the essence of Test cricket in its truest sense.

So, when the second Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh starts in Mirpur today, a sporting wicket is what everyone would long for more than the fear of a defeat.