Test cricket’s rigid and archaic rules have come under fresh scrutiny as the historic first Test between Australia and Pakistan in Rawalpindi continues to be hampered by the weather gods.
Highly favourable batting conditions have made the likelihood of achieving a result in the first Test extremely difficult, with Pakistan batting for 162 overs before Australia made 2-271 on day three.
Making matters worse is that two days of play have finished early due to bad light — even with the floodlights on — while the entire first session of day four will be wiped out due to a wet outfield, despite it not actually raining.
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MATCH CENTRE: Australia vs Pakistan, Day 4 live scoreboard, videos, updates
‘IT’S NOT RIGHT’: Aussie rivals miss a trick as Pakistan hopes suffer fresh blow
Heavy falls overnight in Rawalpindi soaked the outfield which several hours later hadn’t completely dried up.
More than 90 minutes after play was due to start, it was still deemed not safe.
Speaking during the delay, Mark Waugh called for play to resume, while also taking aim at the rules for bad light.
“This is the annoying thing about cricket,” Waugh said on Fox Cricket. “We’re not there obviously, but to me it looks like most of the ground is pretty good.
“The pitch is fine, there’s a couple of wet spots — play on. Get a bit of sawdust out there, get those wet spots a bit drier.
“So far we’ve seen two days’ play cut short when the lights have been on. What’s the use of lights? Put them on, stay out there. I don’t care who’s bowling; quick bowlers, spin bowlers. It’s not dangerous.
“We need to get these things right.”
Kerry O’Keeffe agreed, saying: “This will be a shortened day and light will be a factor later in the afternoon.
“Come on. It’s a flat track, we need as much play as possible to get a result, but they’ll be off before the official end of play because of the bad light.”
Asked what the late great Shane Warne would thinking of the situation, he added: “He’d be blowing up.
“He was an entertainer. The entertainment is not happening because water in the outfield. How? Why aren’t the cover stretching across the ground?”
A total of 21 overs were lost due to bad light on day three.
On day two, Pakistan declared with 10 overs remaining but was forced to open the bowling with a spinner due to the bad light.
After one over, Pakistan refused to bowl spin, meaning play was called off for the day.
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