The time-wasting strategy by India and England in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has become a biggest talking point. On Wednesday, England were docked two World Test Championship (WTC) points and fined 10 per cent match fees for their slow over-rate after Ben Stokes pleaded guilty to the offence.“In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC code of conduct for players and player support personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined five per cent of their match fee for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time,” the ICC said in statement.Former England captain Michael Vaughan feels there is only one solution to tackle the on-field antick by the cricketers.“I have really never understood why we bowl 90 overs on day five, going as late as we need to get the overs in, but just knock it on the head at 6.30pm (UK time) on the other days,” Vaughan wrote for The Telegraph.
“I think if the players knew that we had to bowl 90 overs, regardless of the time it finishes, that would focus their minds. “It was great theatre watching Zak Crawley chew up minutes at Lord’s knowing they were finishing at 6.30, but it wouldn’t have even been on the cards if everyone involved knew they were carrying on regardless of the time. England would have had to front up and face the music.“The players don’t want to be finishing at 7.45pm. They want to be out of the ground and resting up long before then. I think that would help us see fewer unofficial drinks breaks, bathroom stops and the rest. It would be in the umpires’ interests to get it done too.“It would probably mean play does finish a bit later, but I can’t see anyone not wanting that. Broadcasters and punters get more content and value overall.“It’s quite simple: you have to bowl 90 overs in a day regardless of the time.”
