England vs Pakistan 3rd Test start time: ECB allows starting early in case of losing overs due to weather

England vs Pakistan 3rd Test start time: The start time of a Test match in England had caused a lot of discussion in the previous match.

ECB (England Cricket Board) has provided a massive relaxation by allowing match officials to start a day’s play earlier by 30 minutes in case bad weather results in loss of overs on the previous day.

It is worth mentioning that Test matches used to begin at 11:00 AM (local time) in England and the same was a cause of concern as rain followed by bad light had been continually forcing players to return to their dressing rooms.

The recently concluded second Test match between England and Pakistan in Southampton witnessed only 134.3 overs spread across five days as no play was possible even in the absence of rain.

In the past, ECB restrained from not promoting early start on a particular day of a Test citing it would be difficult to communicate to the spectators who bought the tickets thinking that play would begin on all days at the same time.

England vs Pakistan 3rd Test start time

However, a strong outrage from former and current cricketers and TV-viewing audience has made the ECB change their stance stating that play would be allowed to begin at 10:30 AM (local time) if overs are lost due to any condition.

“Following positive discussions with the England and Wales Cricket Board, (ECB) the International Cricket Council (ICC), led by match referee Chris Broad and various stakeholders including broadcast partners, the ECB and the ICC have agreed to revised start times ahead of the #raisethebat third Test starting on Friday at the Ageas Bowl.

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“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 match officials will ensure that light is monitored to maximise playing time while it is still safe to do so. The safety of the players is still the number one priority for this protocol,” the ECB said in a statement.

About the author

Dixit Bhargav

Born and brought up in Pathankot, Dixit Bhargav is an engineering and sports management graduate who works as a Cricket Editor at The SportsRush. Having written more than 10,000 articles across more than five years at TSR, his first cricketing memory dates back to 2002 when former India captain Sourav Ganguly had waved his jersey at the historic Lord’s balcony. What followed for an 8-year-old was an instant adulation for both Ganguly and the sport. The optimist in him is waiting for the day when Punjab Kings will win their maiden Indian Premier League title. When not watching cricket, he is mostly found in a cinema hall watching a Punjabi movie.

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