[Cricket] The Ashes - England v Australia - 4th Test, Old Trafford, July 19-23, 2023

[Sid and the Sharknados]

If that were true then surely an extra day means more money?

No, it means an extra day of cost.
The vast majority of the time, people won't turn up to watch (in all liklihood) just a few overs of a game, that was only confirmed 12hours beforehand. On a weekday.
As it is, they sell 5th day tickets for about £20, and recently started giving them away to get people through the door when there's a tight finish.
Given most of their money comes from broadcast deals, from Sky's perspective they're getting the same number of matches but an extra day of people hanging around a ground to pay for. And a screwed up schedule when they have to allow for an extra day of play that probably won't happen.

 

[knocky1]

Even I've given up.

 

[Ethelwulf]

Official announcement in next hour that play is finished for day

 

[BN41Albion]

Sigh. Makes a mockery of the whole series that it's going to end this way. What should've been a fantastic winner takes all final test is totally ruined

 

[Ethelwulf]

Sigh. Makes a mockery of the whole series that it's going to end this way. What should've been a fantastic winner takes all final test is totally ruined

This is what happens when you try and fit all the tests in earlier . In years gone by august and early September when weather is better would have been used . Like others have said cricket is sadly outdated when it comes to others sports it’s stuck in old traditions

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

This is what happens when you try and fit all the tests in earlier . In years gone by august and early September when weather is better would have been used . Like others have said cricket is sadly outdated when it comes to others sports it’s stuck in old traditions

Sorry you're wrong. Playing test cricket at the wettest county ground in the UK is the issue.

 

[Gwylan]

Sorry you're wrong. Playing test cricket at the wettest county ground in the UK is the issue.

And not being able to schedule an extra day because the whole series has to wrapped to fit in The Hundred

 

[The Wizard]

Suspect the day will be officially called soon, sad times.

 

[knocky1]

Sorry you're wrong. Playing test cricket at the wettest county ground in the UK is the issue.

Bored so I worked it out. This is only for days totally washed out and I had to assume every Test match lasted 5 days because I'm not even sadder than I am to check how many days more than 500 Test matches lasted. (Unless it rains at The Oval). The Rose Bowl hasn't had any fully washed out and Durham is unlucky as it has only had a few matches which could exaggerate its percentage.

Test Grounds total Days Fully Washed Out
Old Trafford: 29 days washed out (84 matches) 7%
Chester-Le-Street: 2 days washed out (6 matches) 6.6%
Trent Bridge: 10 days washed out (65 matches) 3%
Headingley: 12 days washed out (81 matches) 3%
Lords: 19 days washed out (145 matches) 2.6%
The Oval: 14 days washed out (105 matches) 2.6%
Edgbaston: 5 days washed out (55 matches) 1.8%

 

[vegster]

This is what happens when you try and fit all the tests in earlier . In years gone by august and early September when weather is better would have been used . Like others have said cricket is sadly outdated when it comes to others sports it’s stuck in old traditions

The touring team used to play every county in a three day game in England when on tour. The tests would be 2-3 weeks apart to allow recovery and squad rotation, also to allow players to find some form with bat or ball in English conditions between tests.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

The touring team used to play every county in a three day game in England when on tour. The tests would be 2-3 weeks apart to allow recovery and squad rotation, also to allow players to find some form with bat or ball in English conditions between tests.

Twenty years ago, the Sunday would be a rest day. Then we'd get another day in.
Back then the drainage was much worse so we probably still wouldn't see any more play in this game even with bright sunshine tomorrow.

 

[Stat Brother]

I get a 50% chance to relive a vivid childhood memory tomorrow.

That being my late father standing at the lounge window staring at a clear blue West Sussex sky for what seems now like all day, just repeatedly saying:-

'Manchester (or Yorkshire) bloody Manchester, why play in Manchester'

Pa Stat would be apoplectic by now, and much to everybody's surprise it would all be Boycott's fault.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Have you ever noticed the reaction of football fans when match playing times are changed. Whole new football clubs have been set up because of it and NSC goes into meltdown. Blaming cricket’s traditions for not having a system of being prepared to play on demand is a bit daft. And as Sid mentioned above cricket has changed a hell of a lot. Being unprepared to innovate is something you cannot level at the cricket authorities.

Rarely at test level IMO. Unless yourself and @Sid and the Sharknados know otherwise. I like the idea re breaks.

Re playing later - It’s hardly about playing on demand though is it, particularly if it is clear to everyone in advance. Lose an hour, play an hour later up to 3 hours (9.30pm - 10pm).

It doesn’t seem that daft to me

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I'd love to know how many people now raging against the laws and regulations around time lost to rain have the same attitude when it's England desperately hanging on for a draw.

Very true.

But we would, (because I’d be one) need to suck it up!

 

[Ethelwulf]

Due to stop raining around 6 but no chance of play as the ground is drenched . Such a shame but as said above if boot was on other foot we would be happy .

 

[Pavilionaire]

Never, ever give a 4th / 5th test to the wettest ground in England ever again.

Biggest Ashes anti-climax I can remember.

 

[Mo Gosfield]

Sigh. Makes a mockery of the whole series that it's going to end this way. What should've been a fantastic winner takes all final test is totally ruined

Our poor start left no room for manouvere. We were relying on everything going our way. The toss. The weather. No one on the opposition catching fire. We have started to play well too late in the series.
The first two Tests were riddled with mistakes. The Aussies didn't have to play particularly well. We made it easier for them.
It's frustrating but we only have ourselves to blame and we will look back at this series as one that got away.

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

Cricket is mental at times. Rainy day, late start, still take " tea" when it's actually dry etc. Wolf down a banana and get cracking.

 

[Pavilionaire]

Due to stop raining around 6 but no chance of play as the ground is drenched . Such a shame but as said above if boot was on other foot we would be happy .

Just in time for the Aussie Ashes party.

 

[Ethelwulf]

Less than 20 fans left in the ground as above poster said absolutely madness to give old Trafford a 4th Test in bloody July
Oh well let’s hope we do win at oval even though the weather is going to be dodgy as well