Imran Khan, the former Pakistan allrounder and one of the world’s greatest cricketers, I remember would always say that if a team can score 300 in their first innings they could try for a draw if not for a win. But there have been instances in recent times that we have seen the the sides losing the Tests even after scoring 500 plus in their first innings. It happened before too, but it has happened more in the last one and half decades.
Today Bangladesh losing to New Zealand was very sad after they put up a mammoth 595 in their first innings, with Shakib-al-Hasan scoring a magnificent double century. Generally every common cricket lover will have the feeling that if you score 500 plus you can win but not lose. But again that is the beauty of this unpredictable game. New Zealand too gave a sound reply with a 500 plus score and skittled out Bangladesh for 160 to chase the required 200 plus target on the last day.
Captain Williamson and Roy Taylor played brilliantly indeed. Overall around 1500 runs were scored in the entire Test match.The shorter version effect on the batsmen scoring fast was clearly seen in this Test.
For Bangladesh it is not new as they were beaten by West Indies at Mirpur in 2012 after they hit 556 in their first essay.
Twice it happened at Adelaide in Australia. In 2003 India stunned the Aussies after they had made 556 with Ponting hitting a big double hundred. India too made 500 plus and then bowled Australia out for a low total in their second innings to score the needed runs for a glorious victory on the final day.
In 2006/7 England too lost to Australia in a similar way at the same ground. They declared at 560 for 6 with Collingwood making a double ton and Australia replied strongly as they too scored 500 plus, with the help of Ponting’s brilliance again. Then the Aussies bowled England out for a paltry score of 129 with the magic of Shane Warne and chased the required target 168. It did happen in Sri Lanka when they beat West Indies after the latter made 500 plus. Lara was outstanding in that match with a double hundred.
That is why the modern teams fear declaring even after reaching 500 in their first innings. But from the game’s point of view I reckon it is sad.
By Sudheer Mahavadi – DD Commentator
