Bad Light - Should it be changed?

[RoboRocks]

Looking at the test match between England and New Zealand, a lot was made of bad light and the time it took out of the game. The question is should we do something about it, if yes what can we do?

What I thought is that we could experiment with what light is considered a "risk of injury" in a lab type environment of some sort what reading that would be on a light meter. I would also then change the rule on offering batsmen the light since it is used by the batting side in a tactical way. If umpires find that if the light goes below the reading, in which was found during the experiment and then the umpires alone should then go off of the field.

If you do think that bad light is an issue, I would like to hear what you have to say.

 

[Kev]

Don't think you can set a standard amount of light in a lab and say that its the benchmark for all stadiums as light can look different depending on the surrounding buildings etc.

For English County matches this year the players are not offered the light - the umpires alone decide if it is fit or unfit. This is probably a good idea as your idea of bad light depends very much on the match situation and which team you are on. If you are losing heavily its surprising how dark it can look and vice versa if you think you can bag a victory you'll be happy to bat in virtual darkness if you have to. As long as the umpires are consistent with their decisions, I don't see a problem.

 

[RoboRocks]

Don't think you can set a standard amount of light in a lab and say that its the benchmark for all stadiums as light can look different depending on the surrounding buildings etc.

It doesn't necessarily have to be in a lab. You could just do it like a survey and monitor light through different grounds.

For English County matches this year the players are not offered the light - the umpires alone decide if it is fit or unfit. This is probably a good idea as your idea of bad light depends very much on the match situation and which team you are on. If you are losing heavily its surprising how dark it can look and vice versa if you think you can bag a victory you'll be happy to bat in virtual darkness if you have to. As long as the umpires are consistent with their decisions, I don't see a problem.

When you talk about batsmen being content to bat in darkness to force a victory, I think that would a reason to actually give that decision to the umpire since if you are a batsmen having to stay out there in utter darkness to win a game, those batsmen are actually putting their health at risk.

Of course there is also the final option of introducing double spinners or double medium paces so the batsmen can see the ball and also aren't likely to get serious damage.

I suppose another factor is safety for the fielders, in particular any outfielders when the ball is hit hard by the batsmen. So I think you have think about being fair with both teams.

 

[Kev]

Well if you are the captain of the bowling side and you see the umpires fiddling with their lightmeters and you still persist with a pace attack then you deserve to get taken off

Nothing wrong with a bit of risk mind, it focuses the mind!

 

[RoboRocks]

Well if you are the captain of the bowling side and you see the umpires fiddling with their lightmeters and you still persist with a pace attack then you deserve to get taken off

Well Freddie would have done after a late night but I don't suppose a smart captain to do it. Captain's should talk to umpires or umpires could talks to captains when the light gets bad enough, in which case the captain will have to turn to the spinners.

Nothing wrong with a bit of risk mind, it focuses the mind!

It focuses the mind on two things; getting the runs required and minding your head. I feel you have to be fair to both sides and if the light does pose a risk of injury then they should take the teams off regardless of the situation of the game. Would be interesting though if it was 2 runs to win and one wicket required, what would you do then?

 

[Leggie]

Can't we just have floodlights for goodness sake...

 

[Kev]

Tests have been done with floodlights and the red ball and its widely accepted that they make bugger all difference.

 

[Jit]

Can't we just have floodlights for goodness sake...

ya totally agree why not use floodlights if the light is low rather than stopping the play

 

[angryangy]

I say this every time the subject comes up. Floodlights do not recreate daylight. If you've ever seen a ground where they've switched on the floodlights during overcast conditions, you'd know this. The only reason that sports are possible under floodlights is because of the use of a white or yellow ball.

 

[irottev]

Not much can really be done about it. It happens sadly at times.

I think offering the light is the best option. Think about the circumstances which would occur is that stopped. The batting side might be within 20 or so runs of victory and the umpires could force them off. That would cause an uproar.

 

[India2011]

They should try out floodlights in these situations, and switch to a different colored ball to keep play going

 

[RoboRocks]

Not much can really be done about it. It happens sadly at times.

I think offering the light is the best option. Think about the circumstances which would occur is that stopped. The batting side might be within 20 or so runs of victory and the umpires could force them off. That would cause an uproar.

Yes but what if the conditions are just too dangerous? Batsmen would still be quite happy to stay out there if they needed a small number of runs as you say. It would be a heart breaker for the batting side and the supporting crowd but it would fair and safe to do so.

 

[Sureshot]

They should try out floodlights in these situations, and switch to a different colored ball to keep play going

They've tried floodlights and it didn't work. As for changing the colour of the ball? It's a possibility I suppose, doubt it will ever happen though.

I like how county cricket is working it this year. The umpire decides on it, it takes the tactics factor out of it. We should accept that bad light is just a part of Cricket, Cricket is dependant on having decent weather, it's going to be bad at some points.

 

[Cricketman]

And in England, sometimes means all the time

 

[angryangy]

They won't change the colour of the ball in Test cricket so long as it remains impossible to design one that remains useful for 80 overs. Think; the white ODI ball barely survives 30.