AUS vs ENG: It Doesn't Get Darker Till 10 PM - Joe Root Slams Cut-Off Times In Tests

England batter Joe Root has questioned the cut-off timings in Test cricket. He pointed out that in summer it gets darker around 10 PM so why aren’t teams allowed to complete the full quota of 90 overs in a day.

Joe Root’s comment came following the amount of time lost due to rain and the cut-off time in the ongoing fourth Test of the Ashes 2023 at Old Trafford in Manchester. The Day 4 and the Day 5 of the game have been really frustrating for both England as well as Australia.

The rain gods haven’t been kind to the England team who have dominated Australia in the game and are on the verge of winning. Apart from the rain playing spoilsport, 26 overs during the game were lost in the first three days due to slow over rates. It’s fair to say that if these overs would’ve been completed, we might have got the result.

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A Day in Test cricket sees 90 overs but if these are not complete till 6 PM then an extra half-hour is added to make up for the loss of overs. But even if the overs are not done in the additional time, overs not bowled are lost, which indeed makes a huge difference.

Joe Root questioned cut off-time and while speaking to BBC’s Test match special, he explained: “It doesn’t get dark here in England until 10pm in the summer, why can’t we just play until we bowl the overs?”

Also Read: AUS vs ENG: Michael Vaughan Feels England Will Win Ashes 2023 If They Win Manchester Test

Ashes 2023: You should be looking to find ways to get the Test on – Joe Root

Joe Root further went on to say that there are so many ways to complete the full 90 overs. He raised calls for flexibility in the playing schedule to ensure that overs aren’t lost. He explained:

“There’s been a lot of chat about not bowling the overs. There are so many different ways of trying to find opportunities to get as much play in as possible. At every opportunity at every stage you should be looking to find ways to get the Test on. We batted in worse conditions at Edgbaston, but that is cricket. You just want consistency in those conditions.”

A drawn fourth Test will mean Australia will retain the Ashes. England produced a magnificent performance in the ongoing game and are in the driver’s seat but things aren’t going their way.

Also Read: AUS vs ENG: Michael Vaughan Feels England Will Win Ashes 2023 If They Win Manchester Test