The third Test match between Australia and India at the Gabba, Brisbane has been continuously interrupted by relentless rain, affecting all four days of play so far. With weather reports predicting further showers on Day 5, much to the frustration of players, commentators, and fans alike. The delays in the game caused by the weather have sparked sharp criticism from former cricketers, particularly regarding the umpires’ approach to handling interruptions during the rain.
Criticism mounts over umpiring decisions
Kerry O’Keeffe criticized the slow pace of play, emphasizing the need for umpires to be more proactive. He expressed frustration, stating that players should be ready and warming up to avoid delays.
“We’ve preached pro-activity with umpires for years ‘snail pace’, Players should be out there warming up, they should be ready to go. It’s frustrating for everyone,” former cricketer turned commentator added.
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Isa Guha joins the chorus of criticism
Supporting O’Keeffe’s stance, former England cricketer Isa Guha also expressed disappointment with the umpires’ handling of the situation, Guha emphasized that the rain stopped about 10 minutes ago and noted that it was caused by a single cloud, which cleared up quickly.
“The rain stopped about 10 minutes ago, and you could see when it started, it would clear up quickly, it was just one cloud,” Guha said while commentating on Fox Cricket.
The right arm medium fast bowler also suggested that umpires could ask players to “hang around” during brief interruptions, as play might resume quickly, “I just wonder if the umpires in that situation could say to the players, ‘just hang around’ because we can probably get back going straight away,” she added.
Calls for proactive action amid rain delays
The frustration expressed by former cricketers highlights an ongoing issue in cricket regarding the timeliness of decisions made during weather interruptions. Both O’Keeffe and Guha’s comments emphasize the need for a more proactive and efficient approach from umpires, particularly during rain-affected matches. As the final day looms with further rain predicted, questions remain about whether the umpires can take quicker measures to mitigate delays and give fans and players a chance to enjoy uninterrupted cricket.