Mark Richardson: Cricket no picnic on sub-continent

1.00pm

When you come to the subcontinent to play cricket, certain things hit you hard.

There is the heat and humidity, the change of diet, the infectious enthusiasm of the cricket-loving people _ but what I really notice is the way sub-continent players play the game.

Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and as it would appear, Bangladeshi players, seem to play at a far more personal level than us Kiwis. When I say personal, I mean played as a confrontation between batsman and bowler. In New Zealand and other western countries there seems to be more of a team approach.

I'm not saying one approach is better than the other, just different, and it only took one net session at the national stadium in Dhaka to remind me of this observation.

My theory about the different approaches revolves around the cricket surfaces and the nature of life in these parts.

Pitches in the subcontinent are dry, devoid of grass and offer bowlers very little assistance. In the west the pitches tend to carry moisture, are grassed and will often offer the bowler a little movement.

So when an Asian bowler gets the ball in hand you get the feeling it is me or him. The batting surfaces are so good he knows if he lets you get on top it is all over, so he must attack. It is a case of get you out or get punished.

His job is to get wickets and do it himself; no one or nothing else is going to help.

This mentality is enhanced, I believe, by life in the subcontinent _ which, put bluntly, is dog eat dog. If you aren't born into privilege then it is up to you to make a go of it or stay in the gutter.

In the west, we encourage more of a team approach to dismissing the opposition.

The philosophy is often that pitch assistance will provide the wickets, while the role of the bowler is not to provide the runs.

It's all about bowling as a unit in tandem with other bowlers. One bowler might attack more at one end while the other works hard on keeping the scoring rate down. If it's not happening for one, then he'll hang in there for his mate at the other end so he can do the job.

Our society also tends to have in place this sort of infrastructural support culture.

Personally, I quite enjoy the Asian way. It is fun when young net bowlers want to take you on. They come charging in, never overawed, they eyeball you and appeal for anything that hits the pads. Any shot that hints at aerial warrants a quick "that's out".

At home it is very quiet. Often it is a case of "where would you like me to bowl Mr Richardson?"

While there may not be much sledging during games, over here there is definitely more sustained aggression. You would be surprised at how a personal challenge between yourself and the bowler can bring the very best out of you.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY