Nasser Hussain has called for flexible start times in Test cricket as rain interrupted proceedings for the fourth consecutive day in the second Test of the England-Pakistan series.

With further rain predicted to fall from around midday on day four, the former England captain took to Twitter to call for an earlier start – prior to the scheduled 11 am – to maximise the amount of cricket played.

Hussain wrote: “We can make up time in England for weather late in the day when it’s usually getting darker but we can’t make up time in the morning when it’s usually getting brighter. with [sic] rain forecast we should be starting at 10.30 am.”

Hussain’s former England teammate Mark Butcher chimed into the debate, expressing his support for earlier start times, pointing out that they could reduce the likelihood of bad light affecting play later in the day. “No problem with earlier start as I said a thousand times yesterday,” tweeted Butcher. “[It] replaces the time added on at the end. What you can’t do is just add on time ad infinitum. None of this helps with bad light stopping play..!”

Agree Nass.The other thing is it seems the umpires are always looking to get off the field rather than stay on. Any small drop of rain they go off any slight deterioration in light out comes the dreaded light metre. It’s a outdoor sport sometimes conditions aren’t perfect.

— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) August 16, 2020

Hussain’s idea also received support from a former adversary of his, Mark Waugh. Waugh took the argument a step further, questioning the mindset of umpires, arguing that they are too quick to take players off the field for rain. “Agree Nass,” wrote Waugh. “The other thing is it seems the umpires are always looking to get off the field rather than stay on. Any small drop of rain they go off any slight deterioration in light out comes the dreaded light metre. It’s a [sic] outdoor sport sometimes conditions aren’t perfect.”