Is there anyone who goes to watch a competitive day of Test cricket and comes away with their primary thought being “I didn’t see 90 overs bowled. I feel so cheated”?
The over rate problem is a non-point for me and the fact that so few teams regularly meet the ICC benchmark suggests it’s wrong.
The over rate problem is a non-point for me and the fact that so few teams regularly meet the ICC benchmark suggests it’s wrong.
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Pace of play has an impact on entertainment, and teams slow down play when they're behind or conditions don't suit, which exacerbates this.
How do we refill grounds around the world is the key question.
15 overs an hour isn’t much to ask. Far too many unscheduled breaks in play.
No refund whatsoever in those days.
Now that's being cheated
Like the Championship, maybe they should play on and complete the overs.
But it shouldn’t be a points deduction, especially when game is over early.
It’s unfair for teams bowling mostly pace rather than mostly spin.
Stupid things like drinks breaks when 15 runs are needed or taking tea when a wicket is needed to win are pointless and out of touch with the public. Going off for "bad light" or not taking an early tea when they are still mopping up the field.
Also, of course, reviewing decisions. Whilst umpire’s decisions remain and the subsequent non loss of a challenge how about reducing challenges to 2 not 3
Over rate should be taken more seriously.
I struggle with the fielding side held totally to blame when there's also.
Sight screens, light checks, reviews, pitches drying, drinks.
And batters who can't bloody stand still.
In the West Indies some years ago.
The sandpit series.
Windies bowled no more than 12 overs an hour throughout a test.
We had them 8 wickets down at end of day 5.
But had lost over 30 overs due to slow over rates.
Revenge was quick.
One 2 test series in England a few months later.
11 overs an hour is not trying.
Oppo got 405 against us in 50 overs ball going everywhere and no ball boys. We were 16.96 overs an hour and got a demerit for not being 17.2.
15 overs an hour isn't a lot to achieve.
So it isn't the 90 overs per say, but I don't like a slow game.
Mind you, I've only been to one day of Test cricket (Eng vs. SL, Cardiff '11). Rained in the morning, but I got to see Cook and Trott make centuries in the afternoon so still worth it.
The fact that 90 is regarded as the "minimum" is what creates the ridiculousness of it for me. Just change it to 80, and if you get more than that, good for you.
My personal preference is that they bowl the 90, weather permitting.
Don't see them actually enforcing it of course.
And definitely agree about bad light laws being a bigger problem!
But then I'm a bit meh on middle lane hogging too...
Moreover, it is easy to address: 10 run penalty for each unbowled over.
why are two teams getting punished when a match finished early on day 4
Drinks/glove/bat changes only at drinks/if equipment fails.
Ball changes only when the ball actually falls apart or 80 overs
I also like the idea of you stay out until you bowl 90, but pro-rata per innings
Having said that, someone called "mpg1846" posted this on reddit eight years ago, which does show a pretty significant decline.
Morning session (2hrs; 1x drinks at 60 mins).
Lunch interval (40 mins).
Afternoon session (2 hrs; 1x drinks at 60 mins).
Tea interval (20 mins).
Evening session (2 hrs; 1x drinks at 60 mins).
Rules governing lunch and tea rules on weather interrupted days.
There does need to be some punishment for over rules, especially in the 4th innings.
30 over sessions, regardless of stoppages. Continue until they are bowled, next session starts on time.
Alow over rates would vanish as an issue
Not sure if this still applies?
But perhaps 1 over for 8 wkts in the day, plus 1 more for every 2 subsequent wkts; 1 over for every 10 runs over 320; 1 over for every 2 Reviews.
Hearing Jeremy Coney get so exercised the other day was baffling.
90 overs, even 100 overs was possible decades ago, too many drinks and glove, changes... plus DRS... all slow it.
Get rid of all 3, I say.
But if I’m paying £90 for a ticket (£1 per over), then it would be good to get closer to it.
10 short with the extra 1/2 hour seems pretty standard.
Possibly reduce the number expected in the day. Umpire reviews take a while. But I’m sure all teams could play a bit quicker!