Peter Roebuck

Cricket is in danger of gorging itself on goodies to such an extent that its heart stops beating.

Superficially it has been an exciting week. Certainly the IPL crowds have been vibrant and the matches have been entertaining, though the dice were loaded in favour of Chennai and Mumbai long before a ball was bowled. IPL has been shown in most cricket playing countries and even as domestic figures apparently dwindle, its international audience grows.

But the IPL spectacle ought not to distract attention from setbacks in other parts of the game. The recent ructions in Sri Lanka and the West Indies can only be understood within the context of its riches. Likewise the revelation made by local reporters that Bangladesh’s four-day competition is a waste of time and that players are paid a pittance ought not to be ignored. Away from the flim-flam, cricket is in trouble in many of its supposed strongholds.

Nor can suggestions made by a former captain that match fixing has been rife in Sri Lanka since 1992 be swept under the carpet. It’s always been a puzzle that so much has emerged from India and Pakistan whilst its neighbour has emerged almost unscathed.

It is too much to expect that temptation has left an entire nation untouched. Nor can cricket allow sentiment or self-interest to prevent proper investigation of such matters. The day love shakes hands with indulgence is the day the rot sets in.

More bad news

These are serious matters that require serious consideration because they go to the core of the game. Yet they were not the worst news of the week. Confirming long held fears, Cricket South Africa has announced that only two Tests will be played in the forthcoming series with Australia. I beg your pardon?

Two matches is hardly a series at all. Previously it was the sort of concession made by strong sides prepared to give lightweights a chance but reluctant to invest too much time or money in them.

But this is South Africa and Australia, two of the game’s heavyweights. Recent contests between them have been fierce, fluctuating and fascinating. Last time around the Proteas fought back magnificently to take the spoils, twice winning matches that seemed lost and nearly saving the dead rubber in Sydney as their captain walked to the crease with an arm in plaster. It was one of the finest series the game has known.

Australia rallied in a return series played on African soil and reclaimed the trophy. Again the cricket waxed and waned as the young Aussies surprised a home side trying to regain its focus. In both cases, all three matches were compelling. No one in his right mind would want to shorten the series. Anyone capable of appreciating the game would yearn for more, not less.

Apologists take over

But cricket is not in its right mind. Instead it has been taken over by apologists whose thoughts turn to the frenzied mob and the bottom line.

None of them has sufficiently considered the bigger picture. Probably the game can be uplifted only by those currently consumed by its dazzle because they have its ear.

Consolation could be found from the breathtaking innings played by Virender Sehwag, whose 119 took his team to victory.

He is the best attacking opener the game has known. But was it anything more than a remarkable exhibition of ball striking?

His greatness lies in his majestic innings in Test cricket, at the MCG, in Sri Lanka, against England, and greatness sustains a game. Yet cricket curtails the real thing, and concentrates on the facade

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This article was written for The Hindu. 22 August 2016.