Memorable Day at MCG

Memorable Day at MCG

..Saleque Sufi..(26 december)..

To a cricket admirer Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is very special. It is arguably the greatest coliseum of world cricket. “Few will argue about Lords ,Eden Gardens and MCG” .But to me after watching cricket in all three it appears that in many aspects MCG must be ranked higher.  Boxing day test is another very special event in the sporting calendar of Australia. People from all walks of life gather to share sheer moments of joy. Since 2005 it became an special annual affair for this writer .Sometime alone and most of the time with my elder son Shahriar I have enjoyed all the boxing day test at MCG. This year it was more special as  my son’s newly married wife for the first time in her life watched cricket on the ground and that too at MCG

I could not complete all my works at Dhaka this time. One of the reasons I hurried back to Melbourne on the evening of 25 th December was my annual affair at MCG .Flight on any international airline on the X-mas day is always an exciting experience. We had lot of joy and merriment .We had nice time all the way especially at Singapore Airport with a host of Bangladeshi Australian families returning to Melbourne. We talked about cricket,MCG, ICC World Cup, Bangladesh Cricket Team at ICC World Cup.We also discussed about Sakib ,Tamim coming to Melbourne for different reasons .Anyway time passed and we reached Tullamarin International Airport about 45 minutes ahead of Schedule and had to wait for Shahriar and Rizwana  receiving me. The bright sunny morning of 26 th December dawned with the great prospect of exciting cricket. Australia is hosting India this time. A very noise musical MCG was in all expectation as Indian crowd are not only joyful they also add color and music to the festivity. All roads led to MCG and by 10 AM the terrace was almost 75% full. Shahriar and Rizwana were with me. Finding parking was no issue for very disciplined arrangement. I could see the excitement in the eyes of my daughter in law . We were lucky in day tickets at family corner just beside the Australian team dressing room. We could have very close view of the players. A young Palestinian family was sitting beside us .So we had lot to talk about many things during the game. The gentleman Al Asad came with his teenage son Sameer and daughter Summer . We talked about cricket, energy and geopolitics. I identified the cricketers of both the teams to the Palestine teenagers and Rizwana and managed to get some autographs of some players for them. I could exchange pleasantry with Saurav Ganguly and Michael Clark

Steve Smith the young Australian captain won the toss and elected to bat. JA Burns and KL Rahul made their debut for Australia and India for the match. The wicket looked pacey and assisted in early movement .India played with three pacers Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Sami. All generated lively pace and looked very aggressive. Dangerous Warner was removed before he could open his account. Watson looked very uncertain at the start. Rogers and Watson played and missed many. But could weather the storm with grinding and grafting. Watson was dropped off Sami by Dhawan a regulation catch in the slip .Indian ground fielding was extremely poor. At least 35-40 runs leaked through sloppy fielding by the Indians. If the fielders could support the Indian bowling the day could belong to them. None but Steve Smith could bat with confidence and assurance .Even Smith was very calm and calculative over most part of the innings. Dhoni had little option as he was handicapped with only four main bowlers. A minor hip injury of Sami became a little bit of concern. Ashwin had to bowl a lot .27 overs for a finger spinner on the first day of MCG test is a lot and very unusual. At times Indian pacers bowled too many short deliveries while pitching up and making batsmen play more could bring more dividends. On such wickers no one call settle for a long time.

Chris Rogers looked solid and after early struggle Watson was also looking smooth till lunch .Rogers and Watson reached fifties immediately after lunch .But after stitching a very useful 115 runs second wicket partnership both departed on the same score. Rogers fell to Sami and Watson was adjudged LBW to Ashwin slider At 115/3 Australia was again in a spot of bother .Smith and Marsh had to make fresh start. Indian bowlers were probing and pounding. But Aussie pair weathered the storm .Smith looked very patient while Marsh played some delightful strokes before he failed to read the length of another Sami out swinger giving Dhoni his second catch of the day. Debutant Joe Burns showed some early promise .But his innings was nipped in the bud . In came the battle hardened Haddin to join the skipper and the two saw home side through till stumps without further damage. By the end of days play Smith was looking silky with 72 and Haddin showed his hunger for runs. At 259/5 the days honor was evenly shared. It all depends how Smith and Haddin bat in the first session .If India can take some early wickets they will take some grip on the match. But the wicket is also going to suit Johnson, Harris and Hazelwood. It may not be easy to bat .But India has quality batsmen also.

Rizwana was very excited all the way. She appeared to be an Indian fan and every time Indian fielders leaked runs she was shouting. I could see her loving MCG crowd and the Mexican Wave .Watching cricket with Jam-packed Stadium shouting and cheering is a big fun.

To me the match is wide open with Australia marginally in front.Run on board is always a positive point . Any score of 300 plus and a first innings lead will be useful as India will have to bat last.