I can just hear a race caller describing the desperately exciting final moments of the Stayers' blue ribbon event
I can just hear a race caller describing the desperately exciting final moments of the Stayers' blue ribbon event -- the contest for Test supremacy in 2009: "Here they are bunched in a tight group as they round the bend headed into the straight."
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At the head of the field is India, in racing parlance, a nose in front of South Africa. Trailing them is a group of Sri Lanka, England and Australia, three flawed teams whose position could change with a simple head bob at the appropriate moment. Following close behind are New Zealand and Pakistan who recently proved with a tightly fought series there's very little between the two teams.
Then there's the West Indies. A couple of weeks ago it was simply a matter of writing them off, trailing the field by a wide margin. However, something happened on the journey between Brisbane and Adelaide. The Windies suddenly discovered a purpose and a resilience that had been missing in their Test match endeavours. They're still far from being a force again but there are signs of a decent attack developing and the addition of one or two resourceful young batsmen could see them charge through the field.
Current team manager and former champion fast bowler Joel Garner could well be right; the West Indies' greatest need is financial assistance to develop the young talent that exists in the Caribbean. If this doesn't occur the cricket world is guilty of committing a serious crime. Anyone who witnessed the suitably stirred WACA crowd rise and salute the display of raw power and daring stroke play of Chris Gayle will understand that the magnetic drawing power of the once strong Caribbean region is only slumbering, it hasn't passed on.
The gap between India at the head of the field and the West Indies has narrowed greatly in the last twelve months.
Neither India nor South Africa display signs of being a dominant force in the manner of first the West Indies and then Australia in the last thirty years. India is at least a genuine all-rounder and a fearsome fast bowler away from that lofty aspiration and by the time those types arrive the current batting riches of India may well have waned.
South Africa is also unlikely to experience a concerted period of supremacy as England has shown at Centurion. Their generally conservative attitude whilst in the field ensures South African cricket is always on a tight rein.
If England could unearth a genuine speedster and solidify the batting they could quickly move through the field. They have some good swing bowlers, an emerging all-rounder in Graeme Swann and the mercurial presence of Kevin Pietersen; there's also a sense that the belief required to be a top-class side is developing under the solid leadership of Andrew Strauss.
Australia is slipping back through the field thanks to the twin ravages of time and an horrendous injury toll. A solid batting line-up and Ricky Ponting's class and knowledge of how to win when the opportunity arises is keeping Australia competitive. Benefactors of a strong development system, Australia won't fall far back in the field. Nevertheless, there's a desperate need to unearth a speedster, a wrist-spinner and sight a top-class batsman on the horizon to ensure Australia stays in touch with the leaders.u00a0u00a0u00a0
Sri Lanka has an ability to keep producing good cricketers and thanks to the skill and thoughtfulness of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara they have parlayed that into a competitive side. However, Muttiah Muralitharan appears to be finally fading after a glittering career and they need to quickly unearth a successor and a genuine quickie while they're at it.
Pakistan is a bit of an unknown quantity but like the West Indies, their cricket needs to be nurtured with compassion during this harrowing time. A proven producer of maverick players of rare skill, this isn't a region that should be allowed to wither without putting up a monumental fight.
After thirty years of one team dominating Test cricket the game appears to be entering a phase of unparalleled competitive balance.u00a0u00a0
Ho, ho, ho 'tis the season to be jolly, especially if you're a supporter of exciting and competitive Test cricket. I hope everyone has a safe and happy festive season and is buoyed by the thought that just around the bend is the announcement; "They're off and racing in 2010."
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