Michael Vaughan suggests new rule to tackle slow over rate in test cricket

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has suggested a new way to tackle slow over-rates in tests.

Australia became the first-ever team to win an ICC title in all three formats after decimating India in the World Test Championship Final at The Oval. Australia defeated India convincingly by 209 runs. The Test match between India and Australia lasted for 5 days but a total of 44 overs were lost during the entire period of the game. Both teams struggled to keep track of slow over-rates. They have also been fined for keeping a slow over-rate for the entire five days. Former English captain Michael Vaughan has suggested a way to tackle the slow over-rates issue in Test cricket. A total of 90 overs are needed to bowl in a day in a test match. 

Michael Vaughan suggests a way to better the over-rate issue

Former English captain Michael Vaughan has suggested a way to come out of the slow over-rate problem. Vaughan said, “Fines don’t work.. So runs awarded to the team batting at the end of the day's play could be the only way… 20 runs per over”.

On the first day of the World Test Championship, a total of 85 overs were bowled. India played with 4 seamers and only one spinner, this also made an impact on keeping over rates on track. Ravindra Jadeja finished one of his overs in just 93 seconds but for any fast bowler, one overtook almost 3-5 minutes. Australia also played with 4 pace bowlers and a lone spinner Nathan Lyon in the team. 

Many teams have been fined and deducted a point in their entire campaign for the World Test Championship 2021-23. England got the biggest deduction of 12 points in their 22 games. While India got 5 points deducted in their 18 games. West Indies had 2 points deducted due to slow over-rates in their 13 games. India have been fined 100% of their match fees and Australia have been fined 80% of their match fees following the Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct. While opener Shubman Gill has also been fined 15% of his match fees for his tweet questioning the umpire's decision.