I still don't fully understand why test cricket starts at 11 am. Especially in England where bad light can affect play, I think it should start at 10am. Can anyone shed any light (pun intended) on the late start time?
Chrissy, its all to do with fairness of conditions. Here , there still tends to be a bit of movement before 11 than after simply because of the sun being able to get to the wicket for longer. That's why they'll play on after 6, but not start before 11 - its the opposite in SA and OZ where they don't have the twilight after 6pm to be able to do that successfully, but also before 11 in SA and OZ, the wicket would have dried out sufficitnetly. You might not be old enough to remember, but in the 80's/90's the Gillette Cup final used to start at 10.30 in September - and they always used to say win toss and bowl first because you knew you would have at least 3 wickets before 11 because of the excessive movement caused by the early start. Also, until about 25 years ago, all Test matches started at 11.30 here with Sunday being a rest day.
I still don't fully understand why test cricket starts at 11 am. Especially in England where bad light can affect play, I think it should start at 10am. Can anyone shed any light (pun intended) on the late start time?
They've always said they can't start early because of morning dew effecting the playing surface, so giving it the extra time to dry out. I think county games start at 10:30, so can't see a problem with that, and I don't think they should have a set finishing time. We have lights now, so just make them play until the 90 overs are done. If they complain about the conditions then that might encourage them to get through the overs faster.
Comments
You might not be old enough to remember, but in the 80's/90's the Gillette Cup final used to start at 10.30 in September - and they always used to say win toss and bowl first because you knew you would have at least 3 wickets before 11 because of the excessive movement caused by the early start.
Also, until about 25 years ago, all Test matches started at 11.30 here with Sunday being a rest day.
Hafeez c Ballance b Anderson 0
Hafeez c Ballance b Anderson 0
Short and wide, slapped straight to backward point!
Bonus!
Ali dropped by Root.
154-1 at tea.
I said yesterday we needed 350 to be competitive, so I'm not totally surprised.
Sami Aslam run out 82
Younus tickles a ball going down the leg side to Bairstow.
274/4
Almost identical, this time off the thigh pad.
Big in-ducker from Broad that takes out the off stump of Shafiq for an 18 ball duck.
296-5.
Pakistan trail by 1.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v-australia-2016/engine/match/995453.html
We'll do well to save this match and get a draw.
It pisses me off to an unnatural level to see him up near Bradman and way above far superior batsmen.
358-6
Shah run out (elbowed out) 7
Amir lbw Woakes 1
It wouldn't even have crossed my mind to do that and I don't recall ever seeing it before.
Is the rule any part of your arm then? Or for example if you're holding the ball could you head the bails off?