IT WAS tedious going at the SSC ground as the visitors tried to salvage a draw on a desperately slow pitch that frustrated spectators and bowlers alike. All except Rangana Herath, a low-flying lefty able to drop the ball and make it hop. Thanks mostly to the tweaker, the Sri Lankans retained slim hopes of securing victory, an aspiration undermined by their meandering innings and a dreary deck.
Herath was helped by the sight of Shaun Marsh bafflingly leaving the scene without seeking a review after copping a stinker. Equally bemusing was his partner's failure to call him back. Still Phil Hughes did bat with tenacity and increasing skill and by stumps had played his part of saving the match.
Although an occasional wicket fell, the cricket was unsatisfactory. Test cricket is not dying of old age; it is being murdered by those supposed to care about it. Here the pitch was the chief culprit. The surface was damp on the first morning but went into a deep and prolonged sleep thereafter. Bowlers hurled the ball on to the surface and watched as batsmen studied the offering, stirred their tea, deliberated on their choice of shot and then put the leather out of its misery.
Anyone hoping that the track might deteriorate on the fourth day was disappointed. Far from showing signs of wear and tear it conducted itself impeccably, and did so at the slowest possible pace.
Throughout the exchanges were loaded in favour of the batsmen. Rest assured that this pitch will not be reported to the ICC, the fate suffered by its dusty comrade in Galle. Forget about pink balls and night play, Test cricket is doomed unless the tracks have spice in them. Spectators want to see proper confrontations.
The Bowler's Union ought to demand a fair go from curators, match referees and TV executives and administrators and all others intent on treating them as second-class citizens. For now they had to get on with it. Fingers on both sides worked hard, taking the ball and striding back to their mark with the air of the undefeated. Now and then they even beat the bat.
Meanwhile, the ground dozed …
Accordingly it as hard to assess the performance of batsmen and bowlers on both sides. Phil Hughes will not encounter many pitches as hospitable. Clearly his innings will prolong his stint in the side and rightly so but its meaning is unclear. His pluck and eye have never been in doubt, and both were to the fore as he advanced. His ability to hit the ball cleanly and powerfully was also evident as he dashed to a fifty that included 38 in boundaries.
Hughes duel with Herath was the highlight of the day. The lefty was the best of the bowlers. Indeed his counterpart in the Australian side could learn from his use of the crease and subtle changes of pace and trajectory. None of the Aussies countered him confidently as he probed away into the rough.
Nor was Hughes entirely convincing against the tweaker. The first time he used his feet to the spinners he was left stranded as the ball bounced and turned. Surprised by the extra bounce and turn, the gloveman spared him.
In truth, though, and despite the resourcefulness of the bowlers, Hughes's technique was scarcely put through the wringer.
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