Test cricket should be played in the rain

[Howe_zat]

Well why not?

You need to adapt to different conditions in Tests. It's part of the job description. You need to deal with rough building up and cloud cover coming and going. You've got to manage with how the pitch is changing, which way the crosswind is going and which side of the bed Mitchell Johnson got out of. Learning what to do when the rain comes in should just be another test of a player's skill.

Half the time it's said that it would produce bad pitches, or that batsmen wouldn't sight properly. But then half the time it's said that bowlers would be the worst affected, having to cope with the loss of grip and a soggy outfield.

So would it be a problem for the players in general? Maybe. But cricket isn't played for the benefit of the players, they're just part of the trade. It's played for the fans. Also Rupert Murdoch, but mostly the fans. And no matter what rainy cricket might be like to watch, it's better than none.

Plus it would lead to endless debate on how best to use the wet conditions. No fan worth their salt wouldn't love the chance to form more opinions after all. Eventually it'd just be another way of making things more interesting.

The way of Test cricket is that you can have a guy standing around for three and a half days who then comes in and wins you the match. Tests are broad, varied and rich and anything that goes against that is missing the point.

[Zohaib©]

Players will get sick , didnt you know that

[Howe_zat]

Uh huh.

Can a mod fix the typo in the thread title, please.

[weeman27bob]

I've always been told it's "dangerous" to play in the rain, but never excatly how.

I don't think anybody would want to spend a whole day getting wet though. Unless we're going to allow players to wear waterproof clothing?

[G.I.Joe]

Interesting.

Would the players be allowed raincoats, or would they have to make do with umbrellas? Or would they have to really harsh it out by playing au naturale?

[Manee]

Originally Posted by weeman27bob

I've always been told it's "dangerous" to play in the rain, but never excatly how.

People will slip over, the pitch will be unsafe.

[PhoenixFire]

Don't see why that aspect should make it any more dangerous than rugby, which is often played in the wet and with at least as much physical movement.

[Manee]

Originally Posted by PhoenixFire

Don't see why that aspect should make it any more dangerous than rugby, which is often played in the wet and with at least as much physical movement.

Ever tried bowling fast on a soaking pitch?

[silentstriker]

Bring back sticky wickets.

[fredfertang]

Would discriminate against those of us who play in glasses

[Marcuss]

Also damage to equipment, cricket bats are made out of wood and they don't tend to hold up particularly well if left in wet conditions for any sort of prolonged period of time. But yeah, bowlers run ups would become skid-fests.

[fredfertang]

Isn't that Jake's point though? Bowlers would have to adapt - we might see lobs come back into fashion - or more Bishen Bedis

[Outswinger@Pace]

I have another suggestion. Why not convert all existing stadiums to indoor stadiums with a sliding roof that can be controlled by a lever?

In that way, the top can be kept open on most occasions. So that the temperature, humidity and air pressure add to the variables in the game. I certainly don't want to take out those factors that make bowling so interesting.

Should a downpour occur, the roof can be pulled over and the game can still be continued. I realise that this calls for a bit of investment, but the issue of rain affecting test matches can be solved for good. Without compromising on the traditional delights of test match cricket that a purist loves. Thoughts?

[PhoenixFire]

Originally Posted by Manee

Ever tried bowling fast on a soaking pitch?

Ever tried scrummaging* on a mudbath? Or running down the wing?

Sorry don't mean to sound rude, just trying to make a comparison










*Nope, neither have I, due to my size

[BlazeDragon]

Originally Posted by Outswinger@Pace

I have another suggestion. Why not convert all existing stadiums to indoor stadiums with a sliding roof that can be controlled by a lever?

In that way, the top can be kept open on most occasions. So that the temperature, humidity and air pressure add to the variables in the game. I certainly don't want to take out those factors that make bowling so interesting.

Should a downpour occur, the roof can be pulled over and the game can still be continued. I realise that this calls for a bit of investment, but the issue of rain affecting test matches can be solved for good. Without compromising on the traditional delights of test match cricket that a purist loves. Thoughts?

I agree with this post they should make more stadiums with roofs on top like they have in Melbourne and Cardiff. They can also be useful during important World Cup matches so we won't have to abandon games.