The fourth day’s play in the second England-India Test at Lord’s came to a controversial end, with bad light bringing about stumps to a background of boos from the supporters and to criticism from several pundits and journalists.
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Towards the end of the day, visibility had become a talking point, with India captain Virat Kohli increasingly animated on the team balcony in apparent frustration. While it was clear that his issue was in some way to do with the conditions, it was unclear towards whom his feelings were pointed.
Some suggested he was trying to get the attention of the on-field umpires to convey his dissatisfaction, while others wondered if he was trying to tell batting duo Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma to protest their case.
“I think Kohli is saying, ‘Well, Joe Root had a word with the umpires to ask if he could bring his fast bowlers on, so why don’t you as batsmen have a word with the umpire?” speculated Sky Sports commentator Michael Holding.
Gets his way though.
— Elizabeth Ammon (@legsidelizzy) August 15, 2021
While the second new ball became available towards the end of the day, England opted not to take it, continuing with spin instead for a spell. However, soon after the umpire’s called time, to the ire of plenty.
Loud boos as the players go off for bad light.
— Elizabeth Ammon (@legsidelizzy) August 15, 2021
While spin had proved a fruitful method of attack towards the end of the day, with Moeen Ali removing both Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja in the final session, the off-spinner revealed that England captain Joe Root had wanted to revert to bowling seam, bringing about an early end to play.
“We weren’t allowed to bowl the seamers and Joe wanted to so we had to come off,” he told Sky Sports Cricket. “It’s going to be a tight game in my opinion and 10, 15, 20 runs could be crucial, so with the new ball tomorrow morning, we’re in a good position.”
Still, some will be unhappy with Root’s decision to switch bowlers, while others feel that play should carry on no matter the state of the light. Several alternatives have been suggested for when conditions worsen.
What's the point of even having floodlights if they're never enough to keep play going? The bad light policy is a bad light policy. #EngvInd
— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) August 15, 2021
That's rubbish. Test cricket shooting itself in the foot again. If Joe Root wanted to bring on a seamer he was naive. If not and they've just come off with spin on that is very poor….
— Paul Newman (@Paul_Newman66) August 15, 2021
According to the ICC’s playing conditions, play should be suspended if conditions are dangerous or unreasonable, under the following definitions: “Conditions shall be regarded as dangerous if there is actual and foreseeable risk to the safety of any player or umpire. Conditions shall be regarded as unreasonable if, although posing no risk to safety, it would not be sensible for play to proceed.”
