Former Australian Captain Ricky Ponting and former England Captain Naseer Hussain suggested some ways over the slow over rates. After the Ashes both Australia and England have to lose some points. These points will be deducted from their WTC points. Australia loses 10 WTC points whereas England loses 19 WTC points. The Ashes series was drawn as both the teams won 2-2 matches from 5 match series.
Ricky Ponting says,
“I can’t see where all the time is going in the game, that’s the one thing I can’t understand. So now there’s an extra half an hour played every day and still we are losing six or seven overs every day. I don’t know, I just don’t get it. I don’t know where the time’s going.
….The players have to take responsibility. I think the umpires can be more active in it as well. I think the umpires need to start just getting the players around more, getting them ready, getting them organized, making sure the batters are ready to face up, making sure the bowler is at the end of his mark when the batsman gets back to his crease. We’ve got to find a way not to lose so much time in these games.
….I know cricket’s been ultra entertaining. Crowds are not to be whinging about what they have seen as far as the cricket’s concerned, but when you go to a day’s play and you expect 90 overs, but you see 80, you have got to be a little bit disappointed.
….I mean at the World Test Championship final, by the evening session on day three, one whole session of play had been lost. Two hours of play had been lost over three days and I just don’t know where it goes and I’m not sure what the right punishment is.
….I am sure that the defense of both these two teams will be hoe entertaining the games have been. They haven’t been draws that have dragged out and we’ve lost much time. I mean. Headingley is a great example, right? You lose nearly a whole day of play and game’s still over in four days.
….I honestly don’t know what the answer is but if a team like Australia did last time, if they miss out on playing in the World Test Championship final just because of a few overs here and there then it is a pretty hard penalty.”
Naseer Hussain says,
“I think the penalties should be harsh. I don’t think it is something that upsets fans. Tickets, especially in England, are very expensive. So you want to get the full day. Now some people argue, well, you’re getting the entertainment anyways. But I do think, if you pay for 90 overs, you should expect 90 overs.
….And after 85 overs, if they just suddenly stroll off with the extra half hour already being bowled, I do think fines, and World Test Championship points, have cost sides already a place in World Test Championship finals. So I do think the ICC should continue to be strong with teams.
….And I do think to a degree, and I know you have to get TV companies to buy into it, but if you don’t bowl your 30 overs you have to stay on. You don’t get your lunch, you don’t get your cup of tea until you bowl your 30 overs.
….Now what that will do is make players get through the day quicker, earlier, because the last thing you want is a three and a half hour session. The seamers in particular aren’t going to be overly thrilled if they have to bowl three and a half hours at the end, so umpires need to be stronger with players.”