It is natural to assume that it is the duty of those who rule the game a) to ensure that a full game is played as far as possible b) to give the paying public a full game c) to use whatever is available to ensure both of the above – eg: lights, retractable roof in case of rain.

And yet the third one-dayer in Kanpur, played to a full house, left a bad taste in the mouth because neither the game nor the paying spectator was taken into consideration. Time was wasted in the morning, and lights were not switched on in the afternoon to finish the game because the teams had not reached such an agreement.

When rules go against common sense, they ought to be ditched. The paying public is gradually moving out of the frame where cricket is concerned, and that is not good for the game. Boards no longer think the public is important, because their money comes from television rights and corporate deals. But this is the same public that buys the toothpastes and the cars and the shoes that advertisers try to sell through cricket. To forget that is dangerous.

India won (they probably would have anyway); it was a well-planned victory (captain Dhoni knew from the start that D/L would make the difference and played accordingly), but in the end it was unsatisfying because a full game was not played when it could have been. It is time to tweak the rules again. Lights, roofs, water absorbers, whatever it takes to have a full game must be pressed into service. As the popular message on a t-shirt has it: If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

I too accept your comments.... It is always helpful to see a full game... Even there are days in between to continue. I dont know why this game of cricket has these rules not to continue their play on next day if something is bad, maybe just bcoz its name one day international.

It is sad to see a great nailbiting game of cricket ended like this. As an Indian I would be happy to see India winning by playing a full game rather than winning like this.

After the World Cup fiasco one would have expected the ICC to sit down to sort ou these issues. So many options available including lights, reduced lunch time, even reduced overs and I agree one of these should have come into effect today. However, I do not see why the match would have left a bad taste! Dhoni had made all aware of D/L likehood and India won the match comprehensively. England should have done their home work and played according to conditions. Where is the bad taste?

I disagree completely. It is totally different to face fast bowlers in the low light int he morning and to face them in the fading lights. It appears Mr. Menon has never faced a fast bowler in the twilight.

I totally agree with the comments. India would have probably won the match but in cricket there is a saying that a match is never over until the last ball has been bowled or the winning runs has been scored. keeping this in mind England would probably feel that they had an opportunity of causing an upset. By playing the whole match and winning it, India could have stamped their authority on the series.
As far as the spectators are concerned, they are never taken into consideration which can be seen with the facilities provided at the stadium.
Indian board is the richest in world cricket by many a mile and it should see to it that the grounds have all the modern technologies to ensure that the game carries on and the paying public are provided the best of the facilities.

It was idiotic that they started the match late, and played 49 overs for England (they could have had 40 or 45), and in the end they did not use lights. Its mindnumbingly moronic.

They now play the ODIs with the white ball, so why should there even be a question of agreeing to use the lights? Why is the obvious not so obvious to the administrators of the game? Incidents like these would soon start to put some nails in the coffin (if they already haven't) and we there won't even be any "Ashes".

excellent article and also an eye opener for officials. Now a days rules / regulations / policies set by less knowledge prof. ( so called by ICC/boards) hampering the spirit of the game for the paying public. excellent article after a long time ( importantlt not taking any side, and focusing on the problem/issue)

Fully agree with the spirit of the article. These days captains are getting punished for slow over rates on the pretext that they are not playing within the spirit of the game, and yet when these type (like Kanpur) of incidents happen, no one cares about the spirit or spectator. Everyone's entitled to a full game.

The lights were aparently not used because 'the teams had not come to an agreement'. Why did they not come to an agreement?. If they were both party to this, then neither has room for complaint. I doubt the paying public in Kanpur were too concerned in the end - their team won. But it would have been good to see the game to the end. Come on BCCI / ECB, force your teams to do the right thing for the same of the spectators.

Yes, absolutely absurd, especially the use of lights when they are at the ground and facilities available to be used. With regards to this match today at kanpur, i heard Ian Botham commenting and was really upset about the delay in the morning, start of the game. It so happened in the past year starting from the world cup final that commonsense is being lost from the game.

Totally agree with Suresh, Spectators who spend money to come to see their competetive cricket should get every bit of it.

Well, India would have probably won this match, but the spectators at the ground must have felt robbed of a really exciting finish. Not using lights when you have them is utter nonsense. I think the umpires should be allowed to take such decisions on their own in consultation with the teams and the ground staff. Otherwise if bad light was anticipated why not set a revised target instead?

I aggree. In this day and age of flood lights, weather forecasts and such, having matches not complete because of bad light is unexcusable, be it a test or ODI!! Why can tests not start earlier, say 9:30am!! The current test between SA and Bangladesh starts at 10:30am, and a full 10 overs were lost on day1 because of bad light. Screw the spectators who pay FULL price for this. And I'm sure the spectators are not going to be refunded for the lost 10 overs! Why can the test not start at 10am, or even 9:30am? The sun is fully out at that time, and why run the risk of loosing overs because of bad light, and then the players have to be punished for this with shortened lunch and drinks breaks! I really wonder if the ICC is any good at anything besides saying yes to all of the BCCI's demands (basically the BCCI's mistress) and fining captains' and players' for foul language and excessive celebrating of wickets!! Cricket needs a relook, specially it's laws and also those who govern it!!

It's lack of common sense that prevails.one would have imagined rather a shorter match than an incomplete one

I think the game itinerary has not been properly planned by both the Boards as by planning it in the perfect order much traveling and physical tiredness could have been avoided. As for example, Delhi and Kanpur matches could have been consecutive matches as the places are nearby. The teams are visiting from North India to South and then to East, again to play in North, which does not make much sense.

Absolutely agreed. It should be finished if the means are available specially after the goof up in the morning.

Suresh has rightly pointed out the importance of a full game. This match was still a game if England could take a couple of wickets quickly. Overall, it is not a satisfactory victory India would like.

I think the article is well written, but on this occassion I do feel the whole blame is not with the "Boards".
At the start of play 45 mins was lost. MSD knew that the D/L method would play a facotr. This point should also have been recognised by the match officials (umpires and match referee). They had it in their power to do something. This something was quite simple. Reduce the match to say 45 overs or 40 overs per side. Afterall, if 45 mins are lost, this cannot equate to two overs lost.

Common sense should take precedence.Why wasnt lunch break shortened?Why do u need an agreement to use lights when they r present anyways?As the game is becoming 'modern' the simple comon sense is taking a back seat in the administrator's minds

If everyone was so sure that game can not be completed why did they not make it say 40 over game. I am and Indian supporter, but the win just does not give the satisfaction. This was first game which was reaching excitment of ODI... Alas we will have to live with it. I guess guvahati wold be simlar...

I completely agree with you Mr. Menon. The full game should be played at any cost, especially if there are facilities available to do so in case of such situations. Its a known fact that the BCCI is the richest board in the world and they want to have some sort of monopoly over ICC. I couldn't agree more with you when you said, "The paying public is gradually moving out of the frame where cricket is concerned, and that is not good for the game. Boards no longer think the public is important, because their money comes from television rights and corporate deals." Public is losing interest in ODIs since 20-20 cricket has started. Test cricket is the hardest hit; it was visible from the amount of crowd that came to watch the previous test matches. So, in order to increase public's interest in ODIs, its essential to give them what they pay for; which is the full game. The bottom line is that cricket has become a money making business where the spectators are not getting enough consideration

I totally agree with Suresh.Well said mate.To think that a simple technology like flood lights,which revolutionised cricket,is not being
used,makes one think whether the claims made by the administrators are really true.I think that todays match could have been played out fully had the number of overs to be played been reduced further as it was known before start of play that bad light would come into play.Then messers Duckworth and Lewis wouldnt have come into picture at all.Its high time that the people stop critcising drawn tests and come out with a solution to prevent a match being won on the basis of mathematical calculations.

I don't have a lot of sympathy for England, as they manipulated the rules themselves to deny NZ a win earlier this year.

Agree that in both cases the umpires, or match referee, should have the power to apply some common sense to override rules when there is clearly an obvious solution, such as a limited break between innings or using lights that are available at the ground. It's a no brainer.

Match officials should have the power to be responsible for ensuring that play always goes ahead when possible, regardless of the match situation.

yesss...!! we need a full game for god's sake..! doesn't matter wat it costs..!! We want to enjoy this Indian side winning each and every game on their own and not cos of any mathematical calculations for god's sake

I agree 100%, cricket should be played to finish the game.

The Captains and Umpires could have taken the decision playing under lights. Then the victory would have been much sweeter

The match should have been reduced to 45 overs per side keeping bad light into account. Knowing very well that bad light will come into play it is foolhardy that match was played 49 overs perside.
Agreed Dhoni did extreamly good job keeping in mind of D/L rules. But it would have great if he accepted lights and carried on and won the match.
I wonder what great Vivian Richards would have done in this stage. Probably finished the match in 6 overs or so by smashing the bowlers all over.
Can India under Dhoni do that so that they become spectator friendly as well not just winning by calculations.

Moaning, moaning England.

well said

The outcome could have easily gone in England's favor. If anyone tells me that India will not lose the last five wickets within 50 runs, they havent looked in the past. This game would have gone to the wire if not for D/L.

I completely agree with author, today's ODI result in Kanpur leaves stain on Indian Victory. I would have preferred a complete game especially when they had lights installed. If I was England Captain, I would make some noise.

I wish the English fans would stop complaining the scorecard would have shown 'lost by 5 wickets' which added to lost by 158 runs 54 runs would have made a lot worse statement then the current 'India won by 16 runs.

The interesting this in all of this is that the English cannot face after the constant drubbing they are getting India the better. So please get over the fog and take your heads out of the soil and just accept the loss graciously .

I fully agree to the view that there is need to make a change in the existing rules for a full game . If it was known that by 4PM it will light will become bad it was the duty of the game administrators to plan accordingly and coild have gone for 45 over match or a further shortened lnch break. Enland captain's expression said it all as his team had not been allowed to have a go on the tail enders of india.

Its very disappointing to get the result of a match through D/L method.BCCI shhould've planned it properly its winter time and in North India Sun sets soon so we cant have a complete game of cricket in that part of india at this time.It would've been better if BCCI would've planned this match as day night.I am afraid that we'll might see D/L method playing part in Bangalore too because its raining here every day and. BCCI is not at all worried about the people who are turning up to watch the macth and paying 2500 bucks and wasting there 8 hours in the stadium. Paying the double amount to purchase a water bottle.. just to see there heroes playing and its people who are the only source for BCCI to make money BCCI should plan every thing propery.

I think the issue here is that the Umpires/ICC/decision makers didn't use common sense when the start was delayed. The toss was delayed to 9.15am yet play didn't commence till 9.45am! Surely, play could have started at 9.30am? Further, at the start of play, the captains, umpires plus the commentators were well aware that it gets dark by 4.30pm in Kanpur. Therefore, a simple calculation would have suggested that 45mins have been lost with no scope for an extension in play in the evening, so make it into a 44-45 over game to ensure a result. Further again, the lunch break could have been reduced to 20 mins. It seems like the ICC do indeed make rules that are supposed to suit all regardless of the country. The umpires should be free to apply common sense to avoid D/L finishes when there is no rain or exceptional bad light. The reverse situation applies in tests in England when it is light till 9pm yet the ICC has deemed it possible to only add half an hour to the end of a day's play.

It would not have made any difference in this game any way. The English were never going to win this one and MSD knew it right from the toss.

Truely what a farce we were 2 nil up still cricket did not use the resources available to them.

BCCI or Kanpur Cricket Association should have Plan B in such circumstances. Use of flood lights should have been made to give equal chance to both sides to win the game fair and square.

I'll tell you something else that is farcical: England and their supporters calling today's loss a source of encouragement since they only lost by 16 runs this time (Margins of 158 runs, 54 runs and now 16 runs, according to Andrew Miller). My God, where is your pride?! And if England were to lose by 20 runs next game, would it mean the team had taken a slight step backward? And how would you quantify a loss by 6 wickets, since then the units of comparison would be inconsistent? A loss is a loss is a loss, and if you blokes are here to lose by progressively improving margins, then good luck bettering your 5-0 whitewash in the ashes next year. (I can almost hear the natives from down under guffawing at this!)

England should not get despondent at todays result.Its a shame on the part of the game's rules that we could not go on to have a thrilling finish. Its always a disadvantage to the team batting first in such curtailed games.hopefully england will win the next two and make the series interesting!

I am an Auditor..we have this term called Professional Judgment..they have guidelines & procedures and an act so big you can actually use that to weight train..however what presides on top of this act is your judgment..& that too a professional and fair one. I agree with the writer ..where did the judgment(common sense) go..why did they have to be so bookish..don't they exercise professional judgment when they put bans on players..why don’t they just go by the books then..why you litigate on such no nonsense matters. I think they did miss out the fact that cricket is a sport and not business..I am disappointed and I hope it doesn't leave a scar on the spectators who came for some excitement. With that note I feel bad to English team who had fought well in depth of game. I am a die hard fan of Team India but it was very harsh on English players; to come so close to prove that they are working their team out(after 2 games thrashing & criticism. common sense is very uncommon in common ppl

Why have floodlights if they are not going to be used? That is like having a Mercedes in your driveway and riding to work on a donkey instead.
This is one example of why Cricket will never approach the professionalism of Baseball. Cricket is still stuck in the mid 20th century, and colourful clothes and loud music cannot hide that.

Agreed Dhoni did extreamly good job keeping in mind of D/L rules. But it would have great if he accepted lights and carried on and won the match.

Had Matt Prior stumped Yusuf, like he should have, at 39.4 delevery ... England would have won !!!

We were deprived from an exciting finish of match due to bad light which could be avided by either using flood lights in the stadium or By reducing the contest to 45 over match as it started 45 minutes late.We earnestly request the ICC/BCCI to re write the rules so that in future we are not deprived of exciting matches in future.Though India won the match on THough India won this match onthe basis of D/L calculations yet it would have been better if India won it after an exciting completion of tha match,

I fully agree with this. One of the following 3 can be implemented by the match refree/umpires to have a full game. (1) reduce the match to 43 or 45 overs instead of 49 overs (2) use flood lights which was available to complete the match (3) reduce the time for lunch interval. If that has implemented D/L method will not come to picture, only the final result will count. This is the time, when ICC should amend the rules by themselves or allow the referee/umpires to be masters on that day according to the conditions.

I have always believed that rules have to be followed in the spirit and not in the letter . It was a shame that we did not have a full game and the spectators would feel shortchanged . And the funny thing is that a little bit of common sense and a bit of flexibility in the rules can sort out these vexing issues.

Hermito,

I don't quite favor your suggestion to use floodlights just to finish the game as that move would result in an uneven contest. Please remember that the playing conditions change drastically under lights. The white cricket ball tends to swing a lot more under lights which would work to England's advantage since they have better pacers than spinners.

In order to complete matches and also ensure a fair contest, the authorities should try their level best to avoid unnecessary delays so that bad light isn't a factor. Another alternative would be to play night matches so both thems have to contend with conditions under floodlights (cannot ignore to due factor in this case).

The most important thing is how to complete the game,ICC members never tried to sort out this problem.D/L is a very rough type of rule & the most important thing when flood lights are available in every stadium of this series then why the D/N games taking place.This is winter season in india.FOG is the biggest problem in the morning it always make delayed start of games, on the behalf of 1 hour's game only 1 over per side deducted then it is obvious in 2nd half u have to face the problems.now it's all depend on BCCI how they will take this problem. Really poor management from BCCI.

In real life and the real world, rules are set to accommodate most conditions and not all. There are always going to be some circumstances that will not satisfy one group or the other. I say too bad! Easier than trying to set up rules of the game is criticising them. Retractable roofs? Right! Next would be the arrow from sun god to scare the clouds and fogs away! Get real! England lost because they were outplayed, given the constraints. A result being decided on D/L does not happen everyday. So give us all a break!!

It was disappointing that India were not outright winners in this match. To start with the Umpires should have settled for a 40 over game after losing 45 minutes at the start. How on earth did they arrive at 49 over game is mystical. If it was a 40 over game there would have been a clear decision not interfered by light. All credit to Dhoni for knowing the D/L rules and playing accordingly. However I felt India were in a position to be outright winners. This was a crucial game for England who have a must win situation in the next ODI to prevent a sweep.

Srini! Respectfully, you must not have been watching Indian cricket with Dhoni at the helm lately. There is no way, with Dhoni, Pathan and 5 wickets to go India not make 42 runs in the remaining overs. No way! Sure, in the past India more often than not India had choked. This one, especially with this English team and their strike bowlers having completed their quota, was under Dhoni's cool hat. So, let Flintoff and the Englishmen whine and say what could have! India beta them AGAIN!

had this game continued today i don't think england would have won,but in all fairness the game should have continued using the facilities that is there to use.the icc should step up and start making new and improved regulations so this won't happen again.i feel for kp

In the end it was slightly farcical as time was already lost in the morning due to bad light, however the teams still proceeded to take a full break between innings, why could this not have been shortened when everyone was fully aware that light was going to continue to be an issue !

Are you kidding? At any cost? what about safety of the batsman from fast balls in the dark? safety of fielders? This is just 1 ODI out of hundreds that get decide don D/L method! Give a break to these players! world is not dead if people did not get chance to see the whole match. Blame it on organizers, but at any cost? No!

Its pure nonsense to play a cricket match like this when they know that by 4.30 there will be still 10overs of play left and that could not be completed, they should have started early or cut down the number of overs to 45. A victory hard earned will give you a full satisfaction and not like the one Kanpur. Even if England were to lose they should have been given the chance to play the full quota of overs. Just remeber what happend to Sri Lanka in the world cup final. Please we do not want a repeat.

The suggestions on how to deter such situation is laughable at best and moronic at worst. And the implementation of most of this suggestions are not financially viable in any other country other than India. Retractable roof on such scale cost $500 million to put on, when most ground don't even have money to put lights on. It is differnt to suggest and it is different to implement across the world.
The only alternative was to reduce the # of overs and reduce break time to 30 minutes. It should not be left to any officials at ground level. If 15 minutes lost, reduce break by 15 minutes, every next 15 minutes, reduce game by 2 overs on each side and so on. No decision or human jugdment at ground level. If lights are available, well use it but again most grounds in world don't have that facility.
I hail Dhoni for his vision and the way he handled situation. He also suggested at the toss that DL will be in play. I am sure if he had won toss, would have field first any way caz DL in play

Well, Rules are rules, If india would have played full game and lost this full game argument would not have been made. The reason they do not have lights is because one team is playing in sun light while other team is playing in flood light part of their innings. And such arrangements were not agreed.

The officials goofed in opting for a 49-over per side contest. Why didn't the team managements, including the captains, object at the outset instead of remonstrating at the end a la Pietersen and Co.? Incidenatlly,would the venerable Broad Sr. care to comment as to whether it is acceptable to "remonstrate" with the on-field umpires without calling the game into disrepute. I can just see the Aussie players and media chortling about "third world standards".

I cant understand that if Pietersen knew they would neverhave time to bowl 49 over, he did not get the bolwers to speed up their over rate

I think the D/L method actually is the much preferred option to the fiasco that happened at the World Cup to South Africa. But it always amuses me that when the English lose like this "they were robbed" and if they win like this then "that's just cricket" Give it a rest please I am sure India would have won the game anyway if the England form is anything to go by.

Dear Arun Soni and Anant, looks like you not understood the blog or have not read it properly. I agree with Suresh, it is high time the rules are changed, especially when cricket has become so competitive and professional. And crikets fans on the ground are getting lesser and lesser attention as the telecast deals right are sold for more and more. I hope someone steps up soon to address this.

I wish our MS Dhoni had paid more attention to over rates in Nagpur. Please play in the right spirit India