Fans blow up as WTC over rate farce dubbed ‘worst ever seen’

If the World Test Championship Final ends in a five-day draw, the cricket world will have every right to feel robbed of a contest.

The cricket may have been good but the over rates have been deplorable in the World Test Championship Final as all four days were well off the pace so far in the Test.

Australia famously missed the last World Test Championship Final in 2021 thanks to having points docked for a slow over rate in the 2020 Boxing Day Test.

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But now they’re in the final, neither side seems worried about getting through the required 90 overs in a day.

There’s been 44 overs of action - or half a day’s play - missed across the first four days despite weather not intervening.

There is some rain forecast for Sunday and Monday, which would be the sixth day and a reserve day in case of a day being washed out, but it’s not expected to be required.

Without any time lost to weather, overs bowled by day in the World Test Championship Final:

Day 1: 85
Day 2: 74.3
Day 3: 75.4

What can be done to speed up the over rate in Test cricket? #WTCFinalpic.twitter.com/RuKfVdXFep

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) June 10, 2023

In the result of a draw however, the World Test Championship trophy would be shared by the teams.

Good news for Australia though, the ICC doesn’t suspend international captains for slow over-rates, and will instead dock championship points (which don’t apply to this match) and fine the entire team.

But the issue is more of an existential crisis for cricket as Test matches struggle as T20 cricket continues to draw crowds.

The Times’ cricket reporter Elizabeth Ammon tweeted: “Butch is right to be astounded by the fact they only bowled 75 overs at the Oval (on day three). There have been loads of suggestions put forward for speeding up play. They all seem to have been studiously ignored. Sometimes cricket feels like I am in a gaslighting relationship.”

Slow and steady. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

A Twitter user replied: “The three days of this test are the worst for over rate I’ve ever seen. It really needs sorting out because the players are taking the p**s and the umpires are either powerless or too afraid to take action.”

Another after the second day said: “Absorbing test match so far but 160 overs in 2 days is an absolute disgrace. People pay for 90 overs a day. This is crazy.”

Another commented: “Pathetic. Keep playing til they’re bowled. Fine then money and runs and ban the captains. They’ll soon speed up. You certainly don’t give fans 75 overs a day.”