High time to standardize size of cricket grounds

By Himadri Sarkar

When all other International Field Games like Hockey, Football, Lawn Tennis and others of the genre have their playing arena (size of the field) defined and demarcated then why the authorities concerned are turning a Nelson’s eye on the great game of cricket? This reckoner is more pertinent today as cricket no longer is only a game today, it is an industry and a money spinner. Anyone who is even remotely connected with the game, be it players, commentators, coaches, referees, umpires, physios, ad agencies and even spectators are making money in millions – it is a win-win situation for everyone. Introduction of T20 Format to the game changed it all from the days of Test matches when one could see empty galleries and only connoisseurs of the game watched the game on field and on TV. Exquisite cover drives or delectable late cuts are now replaced by hard hitting Sixes, ‘Ooper’ cuts, reverse swings et al. And why not when one has only 20 overs in the kitty and the onus then is on scoring maximum on given overs to play  and not  time bound which was the essence of Test Cricket. When so much money is at stake particularly for batters which comes in the form of batting strike rates, hitting maximum number of sixes as well as the longest six and player of the match awards which is 9 out of 10 in favor of the batter most of the time. This format of the game is loaded much in the favor of batters whereas the hapless bowler already being restricted to only 4 overs per match with new restrictions introduced in the form of less than two bouncers (This is a potent weapon for bowler in Test matches) also more severe  wides are some of rules which are not in favor of the bowler. A bowler hardly gets a Player of the Match award unless he rattles the opposition with a devastating spell and wins the match for his team.

This brings the main subject matter as to why Cricket fields are not standardized and defined in all the venues where all International matches are played, which in turn would provide the bowler a level playing field. More often than not we hear from commentators and also see that sixes are being hit with impunity in smaller grounds like Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai or HPCA Stadium, Dharmshala than Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad or Eden Gardens, Kolkata which are much bigger grounds.  Same can be said about MCG, Melbourne, biggest field to say Lords, England. Most of the Cricket playing centres at West Indies are much smaller than others in Test playing Countries. Windies are hosting this year’s T20 World Cup where one would see flurry of sixes and bowlers being bludgeoned.

Further, if playing arena is standardized then a batter will not have an advantage of hitting sixes in smaller grounds in comparison to bigger ones where there is every possibility that the batter gets caught at boundary lines. If boundary lines are defined and made same at all venues then the bowler knows where and how to bowl and batter would also exert same strength every time he lifts the ball.

It is high time ICC, the Governing body of the game, should look into this very pertinent and important matter and get over with this anomaly for good.