The Tests Within The Test
The Boxing Day Test at Melbourne was a memorable triumph for India. The passages of play involving these three players stood out to me.
The last thing Pat Cummins would have wanted to do was to walk out to the pitch at a time of desperation and join young Cameron Green, playing in only his second Test, to try and save the match with his batting. Yet that is exactly what he had to do. One week after trouncing the Indians in a record-breaking thumping, Cummins now had to showcase the other facet of his game in order to drag Australia out of the colossal hole they had dug for themselves.
Sure, a Test average of 16 and two half-centuries to his name may not appear particularly impressive. But he has always been one of those bowlers that can bat a bit. He had already grabbed nine wickets so far in the series, bowling long spells, putting pressure on the Indian batsmen with nearly every ball, and proving why he rules the roost among this current generation of fast bowlers. But here he was in at No. 8, doing what he can to delay the inevitable so that the Aussies would live to fight another day. The score was 99 for 6.
Fight they did, both Green and Cummins. Ducking and weaving and getting out of the way of the missiles launched by the Indian pacers. Negotiating and outlasting and eluding the magical spells cast by the Indian spinners. They survived the day. Even on the next day, they denied India an early breakthrough and began to mount just a semblance of a comeback partnership. But Cummins could resist no longer. A screaming bouncer from Bumrah with the new ball was too good. He had faced 103 balls and scored 22 runs, adding 57 in partnership with Green. The score was 156 for 7.
Cummins was tireless; he attempted his test.
Earlier in the innings, Matthew Wade had to curb his natural free-flowing game, more suited for white ball cricket, and grind for the better part of an afternoon against top quality bowling. At one point he had faced 22 dot balls in a row and was marooned at 5* for 46 minutes. He needed to put in a performance that would warrant his place in the playing eleven, what with the likely return of David Warner for the next Test.
In addition to taking on the challenge of a makeshift opener, Wade was tasked with riding out the storm that was the Indian bowling attack. He was weathering the storm nicely and seemed determined to carry the bat and his team to the shore. He was dealing with it all. The lightning bolts from Bumrah. The persistence of Siraj. The zingers from Ashwin. The constant banter from Pant.
On the last ball before Tea, Wade shouldered his arms to a Ashwin delivery and in the same motion did a 180 degrees to come face to face with the Indian wicketkeeper as if it was the climactic showdown of a Bollywood masala movie. When asked later what he made of Pant’s non-stop on-field chirping, Wade deadpanned, “He just kept laughing, I don’t know. Maybe it was my batting.” He would eventually perish to Jadeja just after Tea, succumbing to his accurate line and feeling trapped by the field placements.
Wade was resolute; he attempted his test.
Earlier in the match, Ravindra Jadeja also had to confront his own set of challenges. He too had to significantly alter his game given the match situation. Coming in at five down after a short but sweet Pant cameo, Jadeja seemed determined to hold one end up while Rahane was playing brilliantly at the other.
Jadeja batted with real purpose and completely out of character. The stroke-making he is known for in limited overs formats was reduced to blocking, leaving, and a strong-willed resolve to not gift his wicket. He helped ensure that India gain more than a slender lead.
But he incorrectly judged a single trying to get to a hard earned half-century. His captain who was batting beautifully was the victim of the bad call. He soldiered on after being consoled by the skipper. Even after his 50, the slowest of his career, he continued avoiding unnecessary risks until finally yielding to a cunning Mitchell Starc, who seduced him into pulling a bouncer straight to deep midwicket. India had a lead of 111 runs when he departed.
Jadeja was earnest; he attempted his test.
One of the many features of this format is the way in which it tests the players, physically, mentally, emotionally. Everyone has to give the test. Some fare better than others.
Cummins’ test was mostly a battle, he kept running in, kept enduring, but it was not enough. He could not pass.
Wade’s test was mostly a struggle, like pushing a boulder single-handedly up a mountain, he made some headway but it was too much to bear. He could not pass.
Jadeja’s test was mostly cerebral, he remained steadfast, was single-minded in pursuit of his goal, and reaped the rewards of his efforts. He, and India, passed this test, with flying colors.
Now back to studying for the next one.