.I never really leave a day's play feeling short changed about the overs. But that might be because I leave a day's play absolutely blottoed
That specific number doesn't need to be the holy grail, it's just the current rule, based on what should be fairly easily achievable. Most (all?) sports have rules about how much of said sport is to be played in order to constitute a game, that's pretty fundamental. It would be absurd if at the commencement of a test match the players had no idea how many overs long the game was going to be, not because of weather, but because of an entirely un-policed ability for the players to manipulate how much cricket is played. The players could bowl 90, or 120, or 80, or 3 overs a day - surely at some point along that continuum it would become "too slow", or the games ceases to be a proper game? So yes, we need to draw a line somewhere.Who decided 90 overs was the Holy Grail for over rates?
Re the weather, mild (about 20C) and mostly sunny throughout.Any early views of the pitch and potential weather forecasts?
90 overs really should be a bare minimum. In the early 20th century 20-23 overs an hour was the norm. As recently as 1967, Brian Close was sacked as England capital after Yorkshire bowled ‘only’ 15 overs in the final hour to deny their opponents a chance of victory. Unfortunately, for modern professionals, Parkinson’s law applies and work expands to reach the time available for completion. A few years ago it struck me that, when university teams played the counties, the over rate of the students was invariably faster.That specific number doesn't need to be the holy grail, it's just the current rule, based on what should be fairly easily achievable. Most (all?) sports have rules about how much of said sport is to be played in order to constitute a game, that's pretty fundamental. It would be absurd if at the commencement of a test match the players had no idea how many overs long the game was going to be, not because of weather, but because of an entirely un-policed ability for the players to manipulate how much cricket is played. The players could bowl 90, or 120, or 80, or 3 overs a day - surely at some point along that continuum it would become "too slow", or the games ceases to be a proper game? So yes, we need to draw a line somewhere.
Personally I think where the current line is drawn is already allowing for concerted egregious deliberate slow play, but opinions obviously vary on that. What I don't get is the weight of posters who seem to think there's no point at which slow play could possibly become an issue, or a tool for manipulating the very structure of the game that is in progress?
Hi Ben, how's the back?The only thing I care about less than over-rates is WTC points, so it's fitting that they're so closely connected now.
I want an eclair.Hi Ben, how's the back?
Or the other bowlersRoot dropped someone as well. England were on a high after the 1st pakistan test, and we know how that progressed.
I'd expect snoozers to bounce back. But for their catching they probably would have won at hagley.
England have usually announced their 11 by now, that they havnt suggests concerns over Stokes fitness.
He should. If we don’t talk about things that will never happen, then all posts about your motley political crew should be expunged from the internet.This is Southee's farewell tour. He's definitely not going to be dropped, we don't even really need to discuss it.
The unpredictability is becoming predictable!Or the other bowlers
Atkinson 35.3
Carse 38.1
Woakes 39.0
The most NZ bowled 29.4, 28.0, 26.0, 23,0
Team for 2nd Test - No changes
Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Jacob Bethell
Joe Root
Harry Brook
Ollie Pope (WK)
Ben Stokes (C)
Chris Woakes
Gus Atkinson
Brydon Carse
Shoaib Bashir
You're right, and Heef is right, too. It's not worth discussing because it's happening but we should never stop discussing the stupidity of itThis is Southee's farewell tour. He's definitely not going to be dropped, we don't even really need to discuss it.
You do wonder now if Ollie Robinson has missed the boat…but enough about the bowler! On a serious note, Smith will presumably move up the order eventually and hand the gloves over, by which time will England have moved on to someone else? Cox or Rew perhaps?Or the other bowlers
Atkinson 35.3
Carse 38.1
Woakes 39.0
The most NZ bowled 29.4, 28.0, 26.0, 23,0
Team for 2nd Test - No changes
Zak Crawley
Ben Duckett
Jacob Bethell
Joe Root
Harry Brook
Ollie Pope (WK)
Ben Stokes (C)
Chris Woakes
Gus Atkinson
Brydon Carse
Shoaib Bashir