Why Did England Not Come Back to Bat?

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Sreelata YellamrazuDec 20 2008

If you were one of those who looked flabbergasted as to why the England openers did not come out to bat after India completed its first innings in the second Test in Mohali, here’s why.

england with umps LkOkI 17022

Usually following a ten minute break at the end of an innings of one team, the next team sends out its openers. On a rare occasion, the sun was soaking in the atmosphere of the Test and the play was called off!

Pray, why? Was the question on everyone’s lips. After all there were still nine overs remaining in the day and India would have loved to have a go at the England openers, Alastair Cook, and the man with consecutive centuries in the last Test in Chennai, Andrew Strauss. But it was not to be.

After the scheduled time of play, there can be no resumption of play if the play was previously interrupted by rain or bad light. And that was the real reason for why England never came out to face the remaining nine overs of the day because they were offered the light and they trooped off, leaving the umpires with no further time in the day remaining.

It though ended the day slightly better than what England would have hoped and a lot better than yesterday when India had only lost the one wicket of Virender Sehwag.

Now play awaits day three and one can only hope it begins at the normal time of play like has happened today.

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