India Shining
The team - yes. The city of Kanpur - no.
Today's ODI between England and India ended in slightly strange circumstances as bad light abruptly ended play early, and India won on D/L. This is nowhere near the farcical end of the WC final, but it does bring into light (no pun intended) a few things.
First, the match was delayed by 45 minutes, yet only one over was cut from each team. I've heard of slow over rates, but 22.5 minutes per over??? C'mon!
Second, the lunch break was untouched at 35 minutes. Look, I know the players need a break. But think about it, the previously-batting-now-bowling team is pretty well rested and is probably ready to field. And only a few players on the other side would be affected. It's not like this would apply to all matches, but just ones where there's a delay. Now, ICC has a rule about lunch break being affected only if 60 minutes or more are lost. I say this - make that a guideline, and allow the captains to decide before the game starts (or once light/weather become a factor).
Third, there were lights at the stadium. OK, these are not certified ICC/BCCI lights and maybe that's enough to exclude their usage in this specific match. But, in general, lights should be used when they can be. Per this Cricinfo article, the captains decide on playing conditions before a series (which includes use of lights). Maybe the ICC should make it a rule - i.e. use lights when they exist.
I like D/L, I think it ends up being fair, and credit to India for keeping D/L in their sights. My issue is not with D/L at all, it's with how playing times are affected by weather/light. So, what's the solution? Should games like this go into the next day? Should lights be used whenever possible? Should lunch break go away? Should matches in stadiums without lights require a half-hour earlier start? A combination of all I guess. Let's hope the ICC will start thinking - hey, miracles can happen!.
(Sidenote: I also think that playing cricket in North India in late November is not the best idea. I know there's a whole rotation system, but give preference to central/southern cities in winter tours, and northern cities in fall/spring tours. There are enough grounds to go around.)
Today's ODI between England and India ended in slightly strange circumstances as bad light abruptly ended play early, and India won on D/L. This is nowhere near the farcical end of the WC final, but it does bring into light (no pun intended) a few things.
First, the match was delayed by 45 minutes, yet only one over was cut from each team. I've heard of slow over rates, but 22.5 minutes per over??? C'mon!
Second, the lunch break was untouched at 35 minutes. Look, I know the players need a break. But think about it, the previously-batting-now-bowling team is pretty well rested and is probably ready to field. And only a few players on the other side would be affected. It's not like this would apply to all matches, but just ones where there's a delay. Now, ICC has a rule about lunch break being affected only if 60 minutes or more are lost. I say this - make that a guideline, and allow the captains to decide before the game starts (or once light/weather become a factor).
Third, there were lights at the stadium. OK, these are not certified ICC/BCCI lights and maybe that's enough to exclude their usage in this specific match. But, in general, lights should be used when they can be. Per this Cricinfo article, the captains decide on playing conditions before a series (which includes use of lights). Maybe the ICC should make it a rule - i.e. use lights when they exist.
I like D/L, I think it ends up being fair, and credit to India for keeping D/L in their sights. My issue is not with D/L at all, it's with how playing times are affected by weather/light. So, what's the solution? Should games like this go into the next day? Should lights be used whenever possible? Should lunch break go away? Should matches in stadiums without lights require a half-hour earlier start? A combination of all I guess. Let's hope the ICC will start thinking - hey, miracles can happen!.
(Sidenote: I also think that playing cricket in North India in late November is not the best idea. I know there's a whole rotation system, but give preference to central/southern cities in winter tours, and northern cities in fall/spring tours. There are enough grounds to go around.)
.jpg)
