Michael Vaughan didn’t hold back as he took aim at Shubman Gill, Ben Stokes, and both teams for dragging their feet during the Lord’s Test. Speaking bluntly about the ongoing over-rate issues in Test cricket, the former England captain said what many fans have been thinking—“fines won’t work, these guys are already rich.”
22 Overs Lost in Two Days
After two days of high-quality cricket in the third Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, India trail England by 242 runs with seven wickets in hand. But while the contest has delivered in terms of intensity, the pace of play has disappointed many. A total of 22 overs were lost—India bowled only 83 overs on Day 1, and both sides combined for just 75 on Day 2, falling short of the 90-over benchmark.
Vaughan Speaks Out: ‘It’s Been a Problem for a While’
Speaking to BBC Sport, Vaughan voiced his frustration:
“Fines don’t affect them—they’re wealthy players,” Vaughan said with a smile. “This has been going on for far too long in Test cricket. Yes, it’s hot, yes, there have been injuries, but come on… we still need to get through 90 overs.”
Why the Rush Only on Day 5?
Vaughan also took issue with the inconsistent enforcement of over-rate standards:
“Why is it that on Days 1 to 4 we’re okay with the game moving at a snail’s pace, but on Day 5 everyone suddenly starts sprinting to meet the quota?” he asked.
Vaughan’s Simple Fix: Enforce 90 Overs Daily
Instead of relying on financial penalties, Vaughan pushed for strict enforcement of the rules:
“Make it mandatory—bowl 90 overs every single day. No excuses. You’ll see fewer breaks, less time wasting, and a much better tempo,” he said. “The moment you enforce it properly, everyone—players, umpires—starts moving with purpose.”
A Wake-Up Call for Test Cricket
Vaughan’s stinging remarks serve as a wake-up call—not just for the players but for the game’s administrators. If Test cricket wants to preserve its integrity and retain viewer interest, enforcing over-rate rules from Day 1 might just be the first step.
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