West Indies’ inability to defend 405 against India in Guwahati on Wednesday has raised more questions than answers, particularly about bowlers’ ability to operate effectively on increasingly batsman-friendly pitches.
India successfully chased 406 for loss of only two wickets, completing their highest successful run chase in One Day International (ODI) cricket and contributing to a staggering 811 runs scored in a single match.
The nature of the pitch also came under scrutiny, with questions being raised about whether such surfaces provide a sufficiently competitive contest between bat and ball.
Former Trinidad and Tobago Red Force head coach David Furlonge believes the ideal pitch, regardless of the format, should provide a competitive contest.
“I think in any type of cricket, you want competitive wickets,” Furlonge said.
He acknowledged that the surface in Guwahati heavily favoured the batsmen.
“The wickets there are obviously flat, easy to bat on, but is that what you're looking for? You can say it's a T20 game, but are you looking for a more competitive game with bat and ball?” he asked.
Furlonge noted that India has produced several good batting surfaces, but said teams and bowlers must learn to adapt to the conditions presented to them.
For bowlers operating on flat pitches, he believes discipline and consistency are critical, particularly when it comes to identifying the correct length.
“First of all, to find the proper length on these pitches. What is the proper length? Let's say it's five metres, and you bowl the second ball four metres and you get hit for four. It's not now to go and change your plan,” he explained.
“You have to stick to your plan of where you want to bowl on these wickets. You see fellas bowling a half-volley, they get hit over the top and then next ball they bowl short, they get hit over the wicket. So that is a matter of sticking to one line.”
Furlonge also stressed the importance of control and consistency, pointing to the number of extras conceded by the West Indies.
“As a bowler, you would want to be more consistent and more controlled in your deliveries. Yesterday, I think he bowled 17 wides. That's three extra overs.”
The former Red Force coach also believes the evolution of white-ball cricket has increasingly tilted the balance towards batting.
Powerplay restrictions, aggressive batting approaches, and the characteristics of the white ball have made it more difficult for bowlers to contain scoring.
“I think what is interesting in this series so far is you see a shift back,” Furlonge said. “We've seen batsmen more aggressive in the powerplays.”
He suggested that the trend could result in higher scores becoming increasingly normal in ODI cricket, meaning totals that were once considered competitive may no longer be sufficient.
“It may be good for the 50-over game where now we'll see scores of over 300. Teams who get scores of 280, 270 and so know that that's not good enough,” he said.
“Who would have thought that 405 wasn't going to be defended?”
Furlonge, however, believes the West Indies' batting performance remains a positive aspect, with the team showing its ability to produce substantial totals.
He said the responsibility now rests with the bowlers to find ways of countering the conditions.
West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has previously raised concerns about playing on batting-friendly surfaces in the region, but Furlonge pointed to the achievements of some of the Caribbean's greatest fast bowlers as evidence that bowlers must learn to adjust.
“Courtney Walsh and Joel Garner and Michael Holding, they used to bowl on slow wickets too,” he said. “We just have to learn how to bowl on the different types of wickets. We have to learn to adjust to the different types of wickets.”
For Furlonge, variation could be an important weapon, particularly on surfaces offering little assistance to conventional seam bowling.
“How many slower balls do you see bowled in a game? How many fellas go and try to bowl a wide, slow ball? Is it only T20 you can bowl?” he questioned.
“It’s just, as I say, a matter of variation. What variation works.”
With scores continuing to rise in modern ODI cricket, Furlonge's message is clear: rather than waiting for the pitch to assist them, bowlers must develop the discipline, control and variety needed to succeed on surfaces heavily favouring the batsmen.
On Saturday, the teams meet in the third ODI at New Chandigarh.
