Test Cricket Toss: Should the Visiting Team Get the Choice?
The debate over whether to scrap the toss in Test cricket and allow the visiting team to choose whether to bat or field first has resurfaced, fueled by recent matches where home advantage, particularly through tailored pitch conditions, has played a significant role. The idea, previously trialed in county cricket and discussed by the ICC, aims to address the issue of home teams preparing pitches that heavily favor their own strengths.
The discussion gains traction following the first Test in Lahore, where Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack dominated on a turning pitch, leading to a 93-run victory over South Africa. Concerns are now rising that the pitch for the second Test in Rawalpindi will be similarly designed to favor the home side’s spin bowlers.
However, South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton voiced his disagreement with abolishing the toss. He stated, “I don’t think that’s a great idea. It’s the cornerstone of Test cricket; teams play to their strengths and their conditions.” Rickelton emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions and challenging the opposition in their own backyard, regardless of the toss outcome.
Rickelton acknowledged Pakistan’s spin bowling strength at home and stressed the need for South Africa to rise to the occasion and compete effectively, irrespective of whether they bat first or second.
From 2016 to 2019, the English county championship experimented with allowing visiting captains to choose their preferred option. While the average runs per wicket initially increased, it later declined, partly due to matches being played during challenging periods of the English summer.
The ICC cricket committee considered abolishing the toss in 2018 but ultimately decided against it, siding with the argument that the toss is a fundamental aspect of Test cricket. The toss was reinstated in the county championship in 2020 and has remained a part of the game since.
While fining and docking points for preparing unfair pitches at the domestic level is one solution, the stakes are much higher for the national team. Poorly rated Test pitches have greater consequences than those at the domestic level.
Looking ahead to the second Test in Rawalpindi, the toss will determine whether South Africa will bat or bowl first. Pakistan, driven by passionate home support, are expected to come hard at the Proteas from the outset.
Pakistan’s possible XI includes Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Hasan Ali. South Africa is likely to bring in Keshav Maharaj, with Prenelan Subrayen possibly making way. The possible South Africa XI features Aiden Markram (c), Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne, Senuran Muthusamy, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada.
Shan Masood, after the Lahore Test, indicated that Pakistan intended to continue playing to their strengths with spin-friendly pitches. Rickelton noted the passion of the Pakistani fans and the friendly relationship between the players.
“It’s gone exactly to plan. Historically we’ve always played on such surfaces and produced fast bowlers who have taken wickets, so we’ve always wanted reverse swing to be in play,” Shan Masood said.
“There’s a lot of noise and excitement, but it’s all in language that’s foreign to me. I don’t understand a thing, so it’s quite easy just to brush past it. But they are nice guys. They chat to you in English, and it’s, dare I say, comfortable as a relationship between player and player,” Ryan Rickelton said on dealing with Pakistan’s passion.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on publicly available information and may be subject to updates.
