Silverwood gives the thumbs-up to earlier start times
ENGLAND head coach Chris Silverwood would have no qualms about bringing in flexible start times for the series-deciding third Test against Pakistan, with hopes rising an agreement can be reached.
The sheer volume of cricket that was lost in the drawn second Test – equivalent to about threeand-a-half days in all – has accelerated a rethink around the rigid policy of beginning at 11am.
While several other possible solutions to extending the amount of play possible in games affected by bad light and rain – such as brighter balls, improved lighting and even specialist glasses – are not immediate answers, the idea of bringing forward the first ball to cover for delays could be imminent.
Both teams would be willing, as would the host broadcasters, leaving agreements with global television partners who take a ‘world feed’ from the match as the last hurdle to clear. Increasingly, it seems they might provide a sympathetic ear given another mixed forecast. Silverwood, for one, would be more than happy to be flexible if it helps prevent a repeat of last week’s frustrations.
“The earlier start time makes a lot of sense to me. What is the harm in starting at 10.30am?” he said. “It would be a good idea. I know there’s chats around it and there will be no complaints from us if it happens. “We’re all here anyway. “We’re all on the ground, so it wouldn’t be very difficult to make it happen.
“To have both sides – to have everyone, really – in the bubble sat around was hard work at times. You feel for everyone involved, including the viewers at home hoping to watch some cricket.”
Stuart Broad took to Instagram to point out any administrative tweaks around the game would not have much impact unless it stopped raining!
Hopes of a meaningful outdoor practice in Southampton were scuppered by yet more downpours yesterday, with water pooling on the outfield and the pitch under cover.
The groundstaff at the Ageas Bowl are said to be hopeful of preparing a fresh pitch for the start of tomorrow’s match but the possibility of playing on a used surface – a less-than-ideal situation for batsmen – remains on the table given the inclement weather.
England face yet another tricky selection poser as they sift through their well-stocked seam-bowling stocks for the final time this summer.
With nobody suffering from overwork in the second Test it would be straightforward to settle on the same attack which dismissed Pakistan for 236 in that match, with the tried and trusted trio of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes to the fore.
Yet there remains a nagging desire for extra pace, which brings Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, who has sat out four games in a row, back into the conversation.
England are wary their skills might come to the fore in the next Ashes series and will not want to keep them on the shelf too often before then.
The earlier start time makes a lot of sense to me. What is the harm in starting at 10.30am? It would be a good idea. Chris Silverwood