SOUTHAMPTON: The third Test between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl will feature flexible playing timings to accommodate for poor weather conditions, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Thursday.

“Play can begin at 1030 local time (0930 GMT), 30 minutes earlier than the scheduled 1100 start if time is lost due to bad light or rain earlier in the Test,” the ECB said in a statement.

The decision comes after just 134.3 overs were possible across five days of the second Test — also at the Ageas Bowl — due to rain and bad light.

“Following positive discussions with the ECB, the International Cricket Council (ICC) and various stakeholders... the ECB and the ICC have agreed to revised start times ahead of the third Test,” the ECB added. “The flexible approach will enable the prospect of making up time for inclement weather during the morning session of subsequent days rather than at the end of the day.”

The ECB said that after the conclusion of play on the first day, the ICC match referee Chris Broad, groundstaff and ECB Match Manager would discuss the start times for the next day and if the forecast looked good, play could begin at 10:30am.

The morning session would last two and a half hours if the start times are adjusted, while a total of 98 overs will be scheduled for the day.

The ECB also said match officials would ensure that light is monitored to maximise playing time.

Previously any extra time was added to the end of the day’s scheduled play, only to go unfulfilled if conditions worsened.

This flexible approach — which had support from England captain Joe Root and head coach Chris Silverwood — may be extended to future series played in England.

Root was pleased the authorities had taken note of the views of players and coaches.

“It’s a sensible idea,” said Root at his eve of Test press conference. “This will enable us to play a little bit more cricket. It seems a really good way of maximising the hours of play.”

Not since the England and Pakistan met at Lord’s in 1987, when 112.5 overs were bowled, has a Test in England been so badly affected by weather interruptions.

The umpires in the second Test Richard Kettleborough and Michael Gough were widely criticised for their strict interpretation of the light regulations.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2020