Third Test between England and Pakistan could start earlier as ECB aim to avoid delays

Poor forecast: The ECB are anxious to prevent a repeat during the Third Test
Getty Images for ECB
Will Macpherson18 August 2020

The Third Test between England and Pakistan could start earlier after rain and bad light wrecked the second match.

Beginning play at 10.30am rather than 11am is one of the options being explored after just 134.3 overs were possible at the Ageas Bowl. It was the shortest Test in this country since 1987 and has led to calls to change how cricket deals with bad light. In recent years, less time has been lost with huge advances in drainage and floodlights.

The ECB were frustrated by the situation and are anxious to prevent it happening again this weekend, with the forecast poor.

Starting play at 10.30am — the time Test cricket begins in some countries, and did in England in the early part of this century – is an option, either from the beginning of the game, or to make up for lost time on certain days.

With just three days before the match, global broadcast schedules would need managing and the teams would have to agree the change would not affect the integrity of the series.

These games are part of the World Test Championship but the ICC would not stop the home board and teams moving the start at short notice. England captain Joe Root supported the idea and said “something bigger needs looking at, higher up the chain” to manage bad light.

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