Are slow over rates really such a problem?

[kickazz]

Test cricket currently has the slowest over rate per day in history, and don't the commentators love reminding us about it.

Yet at the same time, we see more runs in a day, more wickets in a day and more results than ever before.

Players seem to take more time-wasting unofficial drinks breaks. Well, maybe they need them, as they are working harder than in the days of perpetual maidens.

Field settings/prolonged discussions are also taking up time. This probably needs some attention, but again,they may well be contributing to better cricket.

In any case, while I think it's important to have some control around it, any pining for the days of fitting in up to 100 eight ball overs is rubbish IMO. This was when the west Indies would send half the deliveries over your head and folks like Tavare would zzzzzzzzzz you get the point.....

So that's my view. Should anything be done to improve over rates? Would it make sense to change lengths of the over, or have a rule similar to bring 'Timed Out' whereby a bowling side must stop gasbagging and start bowling? Are drinks breaks an anachronism?

 

[Buzzasto DaSilva]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/pakistan-zimbabwe-2015/content/story/881603.html

Simple in my opinion. Have a single warning and then if the captain offends again, they are banned. Zimbabwe have not come close to blowing their overrate since Chigumbura was suspended in Lahore. Umpire's should also have the power to penalise the captain of batting teams if the 12th man is on the field past the alloted time during over-breaks. I actually don't mind them coming on between overs, as long as they are off the field quickly and the batsman is ready to face when the bowler is ready. I don't think we can put a lid on hydration in this day and age.

 

[Reppie]

Penalize the side not getting through their overs 10 runs per over not bowled.
I'll guarantee it will disappear overnight.

 

[STFU Donnie]

They dawdle between overs. If they took just 30 seconds less each turnover, that would save 40-45 minutes per day, which is another 10 or 11 overs. But of course, that would eat into the precious ad breaks, which are far more important.

 

[ManWithNoName]

How they can bowl ~100 overs a day in local cricket, with blokes much less fit and all sorts of grounds, yet Test cricketers struggle through their required overs in more time is just a joke.

Get the **** on with it.

 

[Demosthenes]

It shouldn't be that hard to bowl 90 overs in 6 hours of play. Add on the extra half an hour that's allowed if necessary, and there's no excuse.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Kerry Packer would have told them to get on with it. He would have wanted a commercial break every 4 overs, meaning 15 overs per hour.

Just write it into their contracts, include financial penalties, and it shall be done.

 

[the_interloper]

How they can bowl ~100 overs a day in local cricket, with blokes much less fit and all sorts of grounds, yet Test cricketers struggle through their required overs in more time is just a joke.

Get the **** on with it.

What local cricket comps play 100 over days?

 

[Slax]

Penalize the side not getting through their overs 10 runs per over not bowled.
I'll guarantee it will disappear overnight.

Penalise the side and the skipper with a 2 match ban. You get one warning and if it happens again inside 12 months enjoy the rest.

 

[The_Reaper]

Penalise the side and the skipper with a 2 match ban. You get one warning and if it happens again inside 12 months enjoy the rest.

Watch batsmen take a lot more drinks and need to tie their shoelaces every over

 

[chunkylover]

What local cricket comps play 100 over days?

grade comps in perth play 100 overs a day for finals in 3, 2 hour sessions. regular season its 92 overs in 3, 110 minute sessions. 90 overs in 6 hours should be easy.

 

[the_interloper]

grade comps in perth play 100 overs a day for finals in 3, 2 hour sessions. regular season its 92 overs in 3, 110 minute sessions. 90 overs in 6 hours should be easy.

Fair enough, our park cricket over here usually plays either 68 or 80 depending on the grade. it should be easy but they do have longer breaks and longer runups I guess.

 

[Plugger35]

I don't really notice it if the over rates are slow, as long as it isn't ridiculously slow it doesn't bother me.

I'd prefer quality over quantity so if having slower over rates means better quality cricket then I'm happy to wear it.