12BET India News: England coach Silverwood backs earlier Test match starts
Poor weather conditions due to rain and bad light had limited the second Test match between England and Pakistan in Southampton to only 134.3 overs across five days, the fewest in any Test matches occurred in this country since 1987, pushing necessary calls for immediate changes to playing regulations.
England captain Joe Root brought the idea of taking the final Test to start from 11:00am to 10:30 to help cover up for the potential lost time.
England coach Silverwood spoke on Wednesday in regards to the situation before heading towards the final Test at the Ageas Bowl as they lead 1-0, and the possibility of Root’s idea.
“It makes sense to me,” he said.
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“We have a period at the start of the day we could use, but we try to lump it at the end when light is an issue.”
“In my opinion it would be a good idea.
“I know there is chat around it so we’ll just wait to see what they [the ECB] come back with.
“But there would be no complaints from us should it happen. We are all here anyway. It’s not like any of us are travelling so it wouldn’t be very hard to make it happen.
“If there were spectators in, you’d feel for them as well – the sense of frustration that you get when people have paid money to go and watch cricket.
“If it got out there that we were starting half an hour earlier then people would probably make an effort to get in half an hour earlier.”
Silverwood provided other suggestions that might help such as the ball be a lighter shade of red, floodlights, and glasses to help cricketers in fading light.
Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq showed admiration upon the commitment and belief of the team battling England in the second Test, despite coming from a loss on the opening of the series.
“It was always going to be difficult to fight back after what happened in Manchester but the players’ commitment and belief was outstanding.
“We have the belief that we can come back in the final Test and it’s so important to us that Pakistan supporters back home and around the world share that belief with us,” Misbah wrote upon his column from the Pakistan Cricket Board website.
Pakistan managed to recover from 158 for six to 236 all out while England pulled off 110 for four before the match was called to end as a draw at the Rose Bowl.
The International Cricket Council is set to discuss the issue of bad light at its next meeting by the cricket committee.
