There is a ruckus in the third Test match between India and England at Lord’s, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has demanded to fine the captains of both the teams, Shubman Gill and Ben Stokes, for slow over rate.
The series is tied at 1-1, and now this new controversy has become a headache for both the captains.
A total of 22 overs were bowled less in the first two days. On the first day, India bowled 83 overs, while on the second day both the teams together completed only 75 overs.
It is necessary to bowl 90 overs every day in Test cricket, but this did not happen. Because of this, the ICC has targeted both the captains.
Money does not affect rich players
Former England captain Michael Vaughan took a dig at this matter. Speaking on BBC Sports, Vaughan said,
“This fine is useless! The players are so rich that this money is like peanuts for them.”
Vaughan believes that 90 overs should be bowled every day in Test cricket, no matter what.
He said, “Look at the fifth day, everyone runs and bowls. No drinks break, no time waste. Apply such a rule every day, the speed will automatically improve!”
Vaughan jokingly said that why so much sluggishness in the first four days? If the ICC strictly implements the 90 over rule, then the players will come in line.
ING vs ENG: Match status
Talking about the field, the Indian team led by Shubman Gill scored 145/3 in the reply innings after bundling out England for 387 runs.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (13) was dismissed early, Karun Nair (40) was run out by Ben Stokes, and Gill himself became the victim of Chris Woakes after scoring 16 runs.
At stumps, KL Rahul (53) and Rishabh Pant (19) are at the crease, but India are still 242 runs behind.
For now, the third day’s play is going to be exciting. England bowlers Jofra Archer and Shoaib Bashir can become a problem for India.
On the other hand, it remains to be seen how heavy the ICC fine will be for Gill and Stokes. But if Vaughan is to be believed, then this fine may not affect the pockets of these “rich” players much.
