As the preparations for the 4th India vs England Test is underway, one issue that has been much talked about, is the slow over-rate issue.
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The third Test at Lord's saw a significant loss of overs by both the sides. England were even penalized for maintaining a slow-over rate during the first innings. The hosts were docked 2 WTC points and were fined 10% of their match fees for the offence.
Former Australian spinner, Brad Hogg has now weighed in on the issue, stating that the slow over-rate is absolutely fine during intense moments of the game.
Brad Hogg believes Test cricket should prioritise storytelling
England has been a side, which has often faced issues with slow over-rate. They are one of the few sides in the world who has consistently failed to bowl 90 overs in a day despite the added half-an-hour time.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Hogg shared his take on the balance between managing quality cricket and quantity of overs bowled. He said that as a player he wanted the game to move fast, but Test cricket in the long term is about telling a story.
Hogg shared, "When I look at the bigger picture, Test cricket is about telling a big story, it’s about the storyline, it’s about player's presence out in the middle, it’s about the player's intent, so when things aren't going as fast, the slow over rates there is okay as long as there's tension in the game."
Hogg further mentioned how the quality of cricket and tension in the middle can sideline over-rates, showing player's character to handle situations.
"We want that tension in the game, we want the player's character showing in the game, and we want a storyline on the knife's edge, if there's nothing happening in the game, there's no tension in the game, there's no intent in the game at that stage, and the game is just wandering along, then we have got to push the over rate."
He also added that when there is a strong narrative to say in the game, slow over rates can happen, while the quality of Test cricket enhances.
“When we get to that side of it, when there is lot of tension out there, the fans are engaged, the players are engaged, the umpire are engaged, the commentators have actually something to say about a strong storyline to the game, I don't mind the slow over-rates,” added the Australian legend.
Hogg further went on to mention how the great West Indian side with four fast bowlers always managed to keep up the intensity of the game, while managing slow over rates.
While slow over-rates have always been a concern, Hogg's take on the issue also highlights what Test cricket is when seen through the lenses. Test cricket is one form of cricket which not only tests the skill of the players but also bring characters to the display.
While players have to be mindful of the stopwatch, the quality of cricket should also not be comprised as it helps to garner the love for the purest format of cricket, the “Test Cricket.”