Vengsarkar opts for neutral pitch over removing toss
The quality of pitches in international cricket often takes a hit to favor the home side. As a result, a radical solution is being thought out by a newly-formed committee of the ICC, which includes ex international; cricketers and coaches.
Apparently, tosses could be scrapped altogether with the visiting team getting the option to choose whether to bat or bowl after judging the wicket. According to the the panel – headed by former India bowler Anil Kumble – the level of interference from the home side is a concern and giving the toss advantage to the visitors is seen as a way to curb the home advantage. However, some members of the committee do not agree to that view.
“There is (serious) concern about the current level of home team interference in Test pitch preparation, and more than one committee member believes that the toss should be automatically awarded to the visiting team in each match, although there are some others on the committee who do not share that view,” a brief note circulated ahead of the ICC's cricket committee meeting read.
On the other hand, former India Test cricketers like Bishen Singh Bedi and Dilip Vengsarkar are against this motion that could remove the 140-year-old tradition.
“Do away with the toss and? You know what... I really don't understand this. I'm actually at a loss to make any sense. First of all, why would you even want to tinker with a century-long tradition?” Bedi reportedly said.
Vengsarkar is in favor of introducing neutral pitch curators if the governing body really want ot reduce home advantage held by the hosts.
He said, “As it is, a lot of interfering has already happened with the game of cricket, in terms of how it was played and where things stand today. Why not leave alone some things that have stood the test of time?”
“If this is only about home team's interference in pitch preparation, then just introduce neutral curators. Have a panel of neutral curators just the way the ICC has an elite panel of umpires and match-referees. Why do away with a tradition that just not adds to the charm of cricket but gives both participating teams an equal opportunity to rise to the contest?”
