It’s difficult to understand why the Australian cricket authorities decided to stage the third Test of the current series against India in Brisbane, a city known for its rain and storms in December and early January.
For some strange reason, the powers-that-be gave the first Test to Perth, a venue that normally stages a match later in the series, especially when there are five Tests against the one country.
What resulted in Brisbane was something of a disaster. Play was restricted to 13.2 overs on the first day and thereafter rain was the winner on every day except the second. It spoiled what could have been a tight game.
Brisbane is normally a venue that favours Australia due to the pitch supporting pace. Australia has won there more often that not; after the home team lost to the West Indies in 1988-89, it took them until 2021 to lose a game at the ground. That was to India.
In January 2024, the West Indies recorded an eight-run win, something totally unexpected.
Australian authorities have chosen Brisbane as the venue for the first Test because it gives the home team an advantage. Losing right at the start of the series tends to drive crowds away.
But despite all these factors, Perth hosted the first Test. Surprisingly, India won that game and by 295 runs too.
That Australia won in Adelaide was no surprise; the pink ball and the day-night Tests have always favoured the Australians.
And then we had Brisbane where a total of just 216 overs were bowled over the five days. Rain, bad light and at times the threat of lightning interrupted play all the time.