Cricket’s centuries old tradition may be done away if the cricket boards of the world have their way.
Back in March 15, 1877, two gentlemen representing Australia and England tossed a coin into the air on a bright day in Melbourne. This was the first-ever Test match and Australia won the toss and later triumphed by 45 runs.
The tradition of the toss has continued down to this day but things may change at the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) key meeting in Mumbai at the end of this month.
There is talk that the toss must be done away with altogether. It is believed that the toss gives unfair advantage to the home team who doctor conditions to suit them.
That is true. For example if you visit the Sub-continent, then get ready for pitches which may turn square. In England, there will be swing and seam movement, in Australia it will be a trial by fire.
The experiment to do away with the toss has had some success in the English County Championship after its introduction in 2016. However, the toss has been made optional there.
According to the rules, the visiting captain is given the option to bowl first. If he disagrees, then a toss does take place. This new formula is part of a grand plan to revamp Test cricket to keep it alive. This includes Day/Night cricket which has already been introduced with some success.
But will all the boards of playing nations agree? India, for one, may be the first to raise an objection.They are not comfortable even with the idea of Day/Night Tests so they may not agree to toss proposal easily.
India is a strong believer in tradition and very slow to move. There may be others who may think the same.
The ICC proposal has a valid point in that the home team always makes pitches to suit themselves. But will doing away with the toss help in anyway?
Today, the home team captain tosses the coin and the opposing captain calls. So if the later wins the toss he has the same advantage as without the toss. So why tamper with tradition? It takes away an important facet of the game. Many a game have been won or lost by the luck of the coin.
It also tests the astuteness of the captain and the logic of his decision.
However, the ICC is clear that teams around the world have ensured one-sided contests due to the pitch issue. The ICC proposal says without the toss, there will be a level playing field for all teams. The home team will be forced to prepare fair pitches and ensure a fair game.
What the ICC forgets is that tampering with anything in the game has become a science. That can be gauged by the so many controversies regarding the playing conditions and other matters.
A fair pitch can never be a certainty because of clever manipulations by the home side. There is no doubt that Tests need some reforms to stay relevant. The Day/Night idea is a good reform.
But the toss, though sound in theory, may not work. Cricket has become too clever by half.
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