How to draw

With the year ending,the time generally earmarked for trend-spotting,the games longest and oldest format came up with an opportune assertion. The Test at Johannesburg proved that cricket doesnt need bells and whistles to remain popular or presentable. The scoreboard doesnt do justice to the game that was modest on numbers. Teams scored at an average of three runs per over. Over five days,just three sixes were hit. Plus,no bowler finished with a five-wicket haul. But those glued to the game last week will tell you that this Test will be remembered for long stretches of play where wickets didnt fall and the runs were hard to score. On a lively and often unpredictable 22 yards,patience was the celebrated virtue. Big Bash,Australias answer to the IPL and telecast around the same time as the Test in South Africa,wasnt even a temptation.

This was more true for Indian cricket fans. This drawn Test abroad dwarfed Indias recent home wins. Skipper M.S. Dhoni made a brave call to bat first on the greenish pitch. Virat Kohli,at No. 4,ensured Tendulkar wasnt missed. Cheteshwar Pujara brought Dravid-like assurance to the crease. Zaheer Khan showed he wasnt returning just to get his 300th wicket. The mix was heady. Round 2 starts on Boxing Day. More of the same is expected. And Ravi Shastri is expected to say at the toss at Durban,The first hour will be crucial.