Pointing to a better future

The points system followed in the Ranji Trophy is strikingly similar to the one in the Australian Sheffield Shield. A quick survey of the two domestic seasons so far shows why the latter is justified and the former isn’t. Out of the 19 matches in the Shield so far, 14 have produced outright victories, in contrast with 19 out of 54 in the Ranji Trophy. It is a case of appropriate conditions and pitches backing up the points system - one in which conditions will, more often than not, dictate terms as and when sides decide to while away time and force a draw.

While flat wickets are often blamed for a mundane domestic structure, one should also consider how changing the dynamics of the points system will go a long way in improving standards. The English county system is not a bad place to begin. It follows a more holistic methodology in evaluating teams’ performance, taking into account various possible scenarios. For instance, all scores above 400 are given five points, which means a batting powerhouse no longer has an incentive for piling on 750 runs, in which case they’re risking awarding the opponent with more points for picking up wickets. And what’s more, points for scoring runs are considered only in the first 110 overs. The system can be improved upon with bonuses for enforcing a follow-on.

The first-innings lead rule is to be blamed for the largely otiose nature of Indian first-class cricket. On flat decks, even in cases of evenly matched sides, misfortune in the toss is often compounded by four days of misery. In the county championship, a draw means three points each irrespective of who gets the first-innings lead. It is just a provision for weather delays and emergencies, not a cushion for teams to play out time and still get the points. Not long back, in the Shield, South Australia lost the toss and the first innings, but were still able to make up in the second innings, thanks to a wonderful spell of fast bowling. Introducing such a system might not be the panacea for a better first-class structure in India, but it might well be a pointer to remind players and associations alike, that they will no longer get away with killing time and serving up featherbeds. There’s the small matter of better crowds and television audience as well.