Billy Bowden boob spoils India - Aussie Test

New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden who has always been an attraction when he is standing out in the middle and raising his bent index finger when ruling batsmen out, made probably the greatest boob in his umpiring career during the First of Two Tests between Australia and India at Mohali on Tuesday. As a lesson learnt I venture to recount the story as it will serve the umpiring fraternity well.

After four days of exciting cricket where fortunes fluctuated, the Test turned out to be a nail biting exercise on the final day. India on 55 for 4 was searching for 216 to chalk up victory and Australia six more Indian wickets to celebrate victory.

India were 9 for 210 with six more runs to win when Mitchell Johnson the Aussie left arm speedster pitched wicket to wicket. Last man Pragyan Ojha missed the ball completely and was struck plumb in front and the bowler and the close in fielders confident that they had the last wicket and victory did the Indian war dance.

Ensuing appeal

But 'Billy the kid' Bowden's index finger remained frozen much to the consternation of the Aussies. On the ensuing appeal the batsman had left his crease and had the throw by Aussie substitute fielder Steve Smith hit the wicket the batsman would have been run out. The ball missed the wicket and went to the boundary.

Such was the electrifying and heart-stopping action that was played out before Johnson probably in frustration let loose a delivery down the leg side that went for two leg byes which gave India victory by one wicket. And did not the homesters celebrate!

It was probably a mistake by the experienced Bowden at the heat of the moment. By now he probably would have looked at television replays and regretted the mistake he made that cost the kangaroos a victory. Bowden too is human and we are sure the Aussies would have taken the decision in the spirit it was made. No wonder then that it is said that umpiring is a thankless job.

Brilliantly contested

The Test was brilliantly contested on all four days and on the final day by both teams and it was the consensus that no side deserved to lose or win. A tie would have been poetic justice because the game was played with no quarter asked or given.

It is this style of cricket which generated a chockfull of interest from the first delivery that makes Test cricket worth watching. Congratulations to the two teams for providing thrill a minute action. Other Test playing nations who missed the live action will do well to watch highlights or replays and play it that way.

The Indians who looked beat would certainly toasted V. V. S. Laxman and the gangling tail ender Ishant Sharma for their victory. The twosome plucked victory from the jaws of defeat with a stubborn stand of 81 for the ninth wicket.

When they came together at 124 for 8 it looked as though it was all over bar the shouting. Concentrating and playing every delivery thrown at them, and probably remembering that no match is won or lost till the final ball was bowled, what a match winning partnership they unfolded.

Laxman magnificent

Bowden's slip up took away the gloss from Laxman's and India's magnificent triumph. However it must stated that Laxman who was suffering from a stiff back played an innings that he will always remember.

The Aussie bowlers fired every delivery in the book at Laxman with skipper Ricky Ponting executing the changes and posting fielders hoping that Laxman would offer a catch. But Laxman was equal to the task and stood unbowed and unbeaten on 73 when the sweet smell of victory wafted.

Earlier Ishant Sharma who partnered Laxman in the match winning partnership was unlucky to be ruled out LBW by the other umpire Ian Gould when the delivery from Hilfenaus looked going down the leg side in television replays. The tall Sharma stood tall to make 31.

Thankless job

Selectors in whatever sport, when they sit to pick a squad do a thankless job. It is rarely that they get their permutations right, and if they do get it right, they still remain open to barbs, brick bats and criticism from frustrated quarters.

To the credit of the Sri Lankan cricket selectors - Aravinda de Silva - Chairman, Ranjit Fernando, Amal Silva and Shabir Asgerally, it must be stated that they have wracked their brains, taken all aspects into consideration and picked the best possible squad to Australia.

In the circumstances, it would not be playing a straight bat to criticize their selections. They have considered merit, and form those who could perform in conditions and wickets down under and tossed in the best.

It must be understood and accepted that from now on the selectors one idea will be make use of this tour to Australia, the tour by the West Indians to Sri Lanka after this and the domestic tournaments before putting their signatures to the final squad that will carry our challenge for the 2011 World Cup in the sub continent.

Age no barrier

The selectors have made it known that every player who performs well be considered. They are not worried of age or whether they are even aided by walking sticks.

If those staking claims perform, then the selectors will certainly have them in the frame and their every credential will be put under the microscope, dissected, studied and finally given the nod.

However the talking point after the squad to Australia was announced was to note that the living legends Sanath Jayasuriya and Chaminda Vaas were not in the picture. Both were in training with the possibles and the probables.

No domestic form

But apparently they would not have got a look-in because they have no recent record of form to show in domestic cricket. Jayasuriya and Vaas have not shown their form and skills in domestic cricket, because there was no domestic cricket at the moment. So the selectors were justified in leaving them out.

The two legends need not be disappointed. If they begin to deliver in the domestic tournaments, the selectors would surely have them in their radars and when World Cup squad picking time comes around be considered like all others staking claims.

Jayasuriya and Vaas whose performances for cricket and country need not be reiterated, have made it known that they would like to make the 2011 World Cup their swan song.

So here's wishing that Jayasuriya and Vaas who gave heart and soul, nerve, sinew and muscle to game and country and made the game, equal and at times even better than the best known will realize their dream and be a part of the Sri Lanka World Cup match winning hit squad.