Batsmen have it too easy in TNCA league

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'The league stage of the TNCA senior division is over and it was the same old story of either rank turners forcing outright results or docile tracks that gave the batsmen a false sense of security.

The only solace was the bowlers holding sway in some matches. How well will they stand when asked to operate on a true surface remains to be seen.

There is an obvious dip in quality and the results achieved by the state teams in the Ranji Trophy and junior tournaments are a direct indication. “Bowling has gone weak and the reasons are not too tough to find.

The standard especially in spin has gone down so badly that batsmen don’t have to be really good to make a hundred. Barring the top three batsmen in each side the others are not really tested,” said former Indian opener S. Ramesh.

There was a time in the senior division where each run was hard fought. Outstation professionals including the likes of Rahul Dravid and Venkatesh Prasad added to the contest.

With the rules changed on professionals and the state association being oblivious to change, the league has hit a standstill. “When you compete against the best you end up learning more.

All clubs have a sizeable budget and there is no reason why players from other states should not come in,” quipped Ramesh.

Going back to matting wickets will not be a bad idea. “When I started playing the league there were at least a few games that was played on matting wickets. We had to play the cut and pull to score runs. It was like we hit through the line all the time. It will definitely add to the players and make the competition more intense,” suggested former Ranji skipper S. Sharath.

At a time where there is nothing to show in the trophy cabinet, the state association should look at a complete overhaul of the senior division. It should start from preparing sporting wickets.

The wickets at MRF-Pachaiyappas and IIT-Sanmar were true surfaces that provided scope for both bat and ball. The same cannot be said of the other tracks. They leaned heavily towards one discipline thus reducing the value of the contest.