AUS vs ENG: Saying That There Should Be A Reserve Day, Even In Ashes Cricket, I Think Is Ridiculous - Steve Harmison Hits At Reserve Day Suggestions Following Manchester Washout

Former England pacer Steve Harmison lashed out at the suggestions of having a reserve day for the Ashes Test following rain played a spoilsport and washed out the Manchester Test. He said that the Ben Stokes-led side didn’t lose the Ashes due to rain but because of the mess they made in the first two games.

Rain played a massive role in the ongoing Ashes 2023 as it washed out the fourth game and saw Australia retaining the Ashes. The visitors looked clueless in the match and their chances of winning were quite bleak. They were outclassed in all three departments but thanks to their performances in the first two games and rain they retained the trophy.

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As rain decided the fate of the series many fans and experts including Brad Hogg suggested that there should be a reserve day, similar to the six-day structure in the World Test Championship Final. They said that they could’ve also changed the schedule of the game, looking at the forecast.

Reacting to this, Steve Harmison said that it’s a ridiculous idea as the series isn’t confined to just one day game as it is a five-Test series.

Speaking on talkSPORT’s Following On Cricket Podcast, he said: “Honestly I can’t get my head around some of the stuff that’s come out, I can’t get my head around some of the people who have said ‘I think we should have a reserve day. The game lasts five days, an Ashes series is over five test matches.

England haven’t lost the Ashes because of two wet days in Manchester. England have lost the Ashes because they’ve made a mess of what happened in Test match one and Test match two, with mistakes they’ve made. Saying that there should be a reserve day, even in Ashes cricket, I think is ridiculous.”

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AUS vs ENG: This is just madness – Steve Harmison on reserve day suggestions

Steve Harmison slammed the reserve day suggestions, saying that when Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum took the charge there were calls for four-day games but now they are demanding reserve day, which is madness.

He explained: “Not long ago (coach) Brendon McCullum and (captain) Ben Stokes came into this Test match arena (and) blew the doors off and within three, four Test matches were asking for four day Test matches … now we want to make it six, this is just madness.

The Ashes series currently stands at 2-1 with Australia in the lead. The last and final Test of Ashes 2023 will be played on 27th July at The Oval in London.

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