London, July 13: Former England captain Nasser Hussain has voiced strong criticism over the sluggish over rate during the ongoing third Test between India and England at Lord’s, calling for stricter enforcement by umpires to tackle what he termed as “diabolical” time-wasting.
Speaking on Sky Sports during the match, Hussain lamented the persistent delays, even with extended playing hours. “They are supposed to bowl those overs by 6 p.m., but we are giving them an extra half an hour and they are still not getting through them,” he said.
“You can still have the pace and interesting cricket we are having, and still come down tough on time wasting. Some of the delays this week, and in general, are diabolical. I think umpires need to come down strongly on players.”
Echoing Hussain’s concerns, former England pacer Stuart Broad pointed out that umpires often avoid confrontation with players to preserve cordial relationships, and claimed the International Cricket Council (ICC) isn’t pushing hard enough on the issue. “For the players, I don’t think it is a conversation. For umpires, I don’t think it is a conversation; they want strong relationships with the players,” Broad noted. “The ICC are not pushing the umpires to force it either – but it is a problem for broadcasters and fans. The fans are missing out on overs.”
Broad went on to stress the impact on spectators, especially those paying top money for tickets. “If I had bought a day-one ticket for £150 and watched my favourite batter Joe Root bat all day, then missed out on that hundred moment, I’d be slightly annoyed,” he said. “Fans want to witness the action – and they are missing out on some pretty special moments.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara offered a nuanced take. While he agreed that aimless delays are problematic, he argued that the quality of cricket on display has more than made up for the reduced over count. “I stand firmly in the camp that the cricket has been more entertaining than it has ever been because I like best vs best contests,” he remarked. “I don’t watch Test cricket thinking it has to be 90 overs, or it’s less of a product. Why bring in sub-standard bowlers just to make up overs?”
He added, “It is ugly when people just meander around. That is a problem. But I am definitely quality over quantity.”
Over the first three days of the Lord’s Test, a total of 32 overs have been lost to stoppages, heat-induced drinks breaks, and extended DRS reviews. England bowling coach Tim Southee acknowledged the slow pace of play but pointed to external factors. “It’s never ideal,” he said. “It’s been hot, so there’s probably been more drinks than usual. There have been stoppages with the ball, and DRS takes its time. But yeah, to lose that much, it’s probably at the extreme level.”
As debate continues to swirl, fans and pundits alike are urging the ICC and match officials to strike a better balance between thrilling cricket and timely execution—ensuring that spectators, both at home and in the stands, don’t miss the moments that make Test cricket so special. (Agencies)
