IND Vs ENG Test Series: Why Slow Over Rates Deserve Empathy, Not Outrage

The Lord’s Test between India and England has sparked yet another round of criticism over slow over rates in Test cricket. With seven overs lost on day one, 15 on day two, and 10 more on day three—despite the use of extra time—many have accused both teams, the match officials, and the ICC of shortchanging spectators. But this overs-lost lens might be obscuring the bigger picture.

Instead of fixating on the raw numbers, it's worth asking: what do slow over rates really say about the nature of modern-day Test cricket? And are we demanding too much in a format that has never been more intense, fast-paced, and strategically layered?

The Myth Of The 90-Over Standard

According to ESPNCricinfo, while the expectation of 90 overs per day has long been the gold standard, the reality is more nuanced. The ICC doesn’t strictly demand 90 overs from every side, especially when fast bowling dominates. In fact, match referees privately admit that bowling 90 overs with a pace-heavy attack is an unrealistic ask.

The playing conditions reflect this. For example, when a side bowls the opposition out inside 80 overs, that innings doesn’t count in the over-rate calculations unless the rate falls well below 15 per hour. Wicket-taking earns time allowances—18 minutes for nine dismissals—plus additional allowances for DRS, injuries, ball changes, and drinks.

So, when India bowl England out in under 80 overs and the total over rate is marginally below the benchmark, it’s not necessarily a problem—it’s the system working as intended.

High-Intensity Cricket Requires Breathing Room

We often forget that Test cricket isn’t static. The game has evolved. Batting is more aggressive than ever. Bowlers are constantly adjusting fields, rethinking plans, and managing workloads in real time.

That’s especially true in a clash like the current England-India series, where one side plays an attacking brand of "Bazball" and the other counters with strategic bursts of pace and spin. Every passage of play requires tactical recalibration. This, naturally, eats into time.

Yes, 90 overs can be bowled in a day—but only if players are treated like machines, not elite athletes engaged in a five-day mental and physical duel. Do we want robotic cricket filled with part-time spinners to complete the quota? Or do we want high-quality, intense passages that reflect the peak of the sport?

Penalising Quality?

Ironically, the teams who strive for intensity and competitiveness are the ones most often penalised. England’s over rate at Lord’s cost them 16.67% of the WTC points they earned from a hard-fought victory. That’s significant—especially in a game that had no rain delays and reached a result inside five days.

In fact, recent penalties for slow over rates have nearly always occurred in high-scoring matches with heavy fast bowling—Pakistan in Cape Town, England and New Zealand in Christchurch, and now again at Lord’s. Are we punishing teams for playing high-quality cricket?

What's At Stake Isn’t Just Time, But Context

Slow over rates can, of course, be used as gamesmanship. But in this case, both teams were playing to win. India's deliberate push to sneak in extra overs on day three and England's resistance to face more than one over created tension, theatre, and drama—exactly what Test cricket should offer.

The ICC’s own playing conditions, along with allowances for wickets and interruptions, suggest a more empathetic approach to over rates. Yet the penalties remain disproportionately harsh. Perhaps it's time to separate truly egregious time-wasting from the broader context of how Test matches unfold.

Looking Ahead

Yes, the frustration of overs lost is understandable—especially for spectators who invest time and money into the experience. But blanket outrage misses the point. If cricket fans and pundits take a step back to understand the mechanics of over-rate calculations, and the intensity of modern Test matches, they might find themselves less angry and more appreciative.

Slow over rates aren’t always about inefficiency or disrespect for the fans. Sometimes, they are a byproduct of elite teams fighting tooth and nail in one of sport’s toughest formats. And that, surely, is worth a few overs less.