Former Aussie cricketer slams umpires for handling rain delays in AUS vs IND 3rd Test
The third test match between Australia and India at the Gabba, Brisbane has been continuously interrupted by unrelenting rain, which has affected all four days of play so far. With weather reports predicting more showers on the 5th, much to the frustration of players, commentators and fans alike. Delays in play caused by the weather have drawn strong criticism from former cricketers, particularly regarding the umpires’ approach to handling interruptions during rain.
Criticism is growing about referees’ decisions
Kerry O’Keeffe criticized the slow pace of the game, stressing the need for referees to be more proactive. He expressed frustration, stating that players should be ready and warming up to avoid delays.
“We’ve preached proactivity with the refs for years at “snail’s pace”, the players should be there warming up, they should be ready to go. It’s frustrating for everyone,,” added the former cricketer-turned-commentator.
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Isa Guha joins the chorus of critics
Supporting the stance of former England cricketer O’Keeffe A cave Also expressing his disappointment at the umpires’ handling of the situation, Guha noted that the rain stopped about 10 minutes ago and noted that it was caused by a single cloud, which cleared quickly.
“The rain stopped about 10 minutes ago, and you could see when it started, it would clear up quickly, it was just a cloud,Guha said while commenting on Fox Cricket.
The right-arm medium-fast bowler also suggested that umpires could ask players to “hang in” during short interruptions as play could resume quickly. “I just wonder if the refs in that situation could say to the players, ‘just stay’ because we’ll probably be able to go straight away again.”, he added.
It calls for proactive action amid rain delays
The frustration expressed by former cricketers highlights an ongoing problem in cricket regarding the timeliness of decisions taken during weather interruptions. Both O’Keeffe’s and Guha’s comments emphasize the need for a more proactive and efficient approach by referees, particularly during rain-affected matches. As the rain-soaked final day approaches, questions remain over whether umpires can take quicker action to mitigate delays and give fans and players a chance to enjoy uninterrupted cricket.
English