As we head into another summer of cricket, I have a confession to make: I’m not a massive fan. Tennis? My favourite sport. NRL? Can’t get enough of it. AFL? Love it. But cricket? It just never clicked.
On this, I recognise I’m an outlier. Cricket is part of Australia’s identity, and Herald readers can’t get enough of our coverage. I’m pleased to tell you one of Australia’s best sport reporters, the Herald’s Tom Decent, is stepping into a significant new role covering cricket. I am thrilled for Tom, who has long aspired to do this, and happy for our subscribers who will benefit from his great love for the game.
Tom Decent covering cricket in Pakistan in 2022.
Tom has been at the Herald for more than a decade and is familiar to many readers. He gained international attention last year after breaking the news that the then Wallabies boss Eddie Jones was secretly interviewed by Japanese rugby officials to take over as the country’s head coach just days before Australia’s disastrous Rugby World Cup campaign started in France, and did a brilliant job covering the Paris Olympics and Paralympics earlier this year.
I asked Tom this week for his thoughts on cricket and how he plans to cover it. Enjoy!
Tom, have you always been a cricket tragic?
I was absolutely obsessed as a kid. It was a golden period for Australian cricket around the turn of the century. Cricket dominated my life from as early as I can remember, often with dad around. He did a great job indoctrinating me, with mum helping out as our team’s scorer and supporting from the boundary.
Did you play?
Tried my best! I spent countless hours on cricket fields across Sydney and occasionally interstate, chipping away as a wicketkeeper-batsman who liked a cheeky sledge (got as good as I gave). I got a start in Sydney’s first-grade competition as a 17-year-old (somehow) and chalked up 90 matches before giving it up at 22 due to work commitments with the Herald. Truth be told, writing about sport had more appeal than standing in the sun all weekend. I do miss the camaraderie.
Do you have a cricket hero – past or present – and what do you most admire about them?
Adam Gilchrist. He changed the game for wicketkeepers. I was lucky enough to make the NSW PSSA cricket team in year six. We were presented baggy blue caps on the SCG, which was a huge thrill. To our surprise, it was Gilchrist who came onto the ground at tea, mid-Test, and handed us our caps. That’s the kind of gesture a 12-year-old doesn’t forget.
Are you a Test purist or a Big Bash thrill seeker?
I like both but Test cricket will always reign supreme. T20 results are forgotten so easily and lack context. There is no sport that compares to the drama of a Test match. Even at the end of five days when teams shake hands and there might not be a winner.
It’s not been a great week for the Australian test team. What went wrong against India in Perth and is this an ominous sign for things to come this summer?
One bad session late on day one swung the match India’s way, with visiting fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah in full flight. A lot has been made of the woes of Australia’s top order but that spell from Bumrah was amazing. I had the binoculars on him for most of it and his execution was something to behold. Imagine facing that. I have immense respect for batters at the top level.
Who will be the team to beat this year and why?
After Perth, India are in the box seat. I tipped Australia 5-0, so there is some egg on my face already. Completely different playing conditions during the recent series between India and New Zealand fooled many of us into thinking the tourists would be underdogs in Australia. I have faith that Australia will be extremely competitive, though. Steve Smith isn’t done yet. Australia can win the series.
Is there a rising star we should look out for?
Watching Yashasvi Jaiswal plunder a second innings hundred in Perth felt like we were watching a young Sachin Tendulkar. For Jaiswal to have the audacity to sledge Mitchell Starc about bowling too slow showed what a competitor he is. His story from living in a tent to playing Test cricket, written by my colleague Jonathan Drennan recently, is a beauty.
Is there a collegiate atmosphere among the cricket writers or is it more fierce rivalry?
Everyone in the press box is great to deal with. There’s lots of good banter. Some keep to themselves, some are just happy watching the game and writing, but others want to break stories, which is much harder to do. You need to be competitive.
What has been the biggest change in cricket over the past 10 years or so?
India’s power and influence continues to grow. That’s making it harder for Cricket Australia to control its best players. I think Australia’s Test stars should be getting paid far more money by Cricket Australia than what they’re on. In 10 years’ time, the money on offer in India will be extraordinary. What incentive is there for a young player to focus on red ball cricket when they can make 10 times the money doing far less work?
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