ICC Open To Review Bad Light Rules After Inclement Weather Affected England-Pakistan Test In Southampton

The second Test between England and Pakistan in Southampton turned out to be a frustrating affair — as bad light and rain problems continued to rule. The two factors have been significantly responsible for spoiling an intriguing Test match — and the bad light rules came under criticism as well. In the wake of this, ICC is likely to review the regulations regarding light practices in their next meeting.

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Over the course of five days, Pakistan and England could only bat once while Joe Root’s men could not even complete their innings. On the back of fifties from Abid Ali and Mohammad Rizwan, the tourists dragged themselves to 236.

On day two, the umpires asked players to come off due to poor light, owing to which over an hour’s play could not happen. The cricketers played only in the first hour on day four and resumed after a four-hour delay on day five.

England finished the final day on 110-4 in 43.1 overs before settling for a draw. Umpires currently use light meters to determine if the light is dangerous or unreasonable to keep playing. In 2013, ICC member boards rejected the governing body’s proposal of using floodlights to keep a Test match going in case of fading natural light.

A source of ICC told Reuters that the ICC is ready to discuss such ideas and that the ICC Cricket Committee could have the issue on the table next meeting.

“We at the ICC are open to such ideas and the ICC Cricket Committee may discuss the issue in their next meeting,” the source stated.

Shane Warne and Michael Vaughan’s solution amid the England-Pakistan Test:

Former English captain Michael Vaughan has suggested utilizing the pink ball, ensuring higher visibility to avoid losing time due to bad light. Currently, pink balls are only used in day-night Test matches.

“The more I watch this, particularly in England, the pink ball could be the solution – just play with it all the time,” Vaughan told BBC Test match special.

Former Australian spinner Shane Warne echoed Vaughan’s words by mentioning to lower the light meter reading and use a pink ball for Tests to have an extended duration of play.

“If we lower that light meter reading and use a pink ball for Test matches, I think we’ll stay out there a lot longer,” Warne told Sky Sports on Monday.

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