Decoding the 'bad light' laws in cricket

A file photo of a World Series Game from 1990 between Australia and Pakistan at Melbourne (Getty Images)

The use of floodlights was popularized in Kerry Packer’s World Series in the 1970s, and has now become a regular feature in one-day cricket. There has been opposition to their use in Test cricket, but more and more voices are now coming out in support of using floodlights to ensure that the required number of overs is completed in the game if the playing conditions are acceptable, and the cricket rule book has accommodated such a provision in the Test cricket laws:

Law 3.7 Use of artificial lights

If in the opinion of the umpires, natural light is deteriorating to an unfit level, they shall authorize the ground authorities to use the available artificial lighting so that the match can continue in acceptable conditions.

The lights are only to be used to enable a full day’s play to be completed as provided in clause 16 below.

In the event of power failure or lights malfunction, the provisions relating to the delay or interruption of play due to bad weather or light shall apply.

In the wake of the controversy caused after the Oval Test farce, the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) chairman Giles Clarke has implored the ICC (International Cricket Council) to find a solution to the light rules. A suggested way forward for the ICC is to make stringent rules to apply penalties for slow over rates, which would speed up the proceedings of the match (and hence avoid the tactics employed by both Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke at different stages of The Oval Test to force a draw).

To make up for the overs lost due to weather, the following day’s play should start earlier (similar to what was done at The Oval).

The ICC seems to have an open attitude and approach towards the idea of having day-night Test cricket. Perhaps it could extend this flexibility towards the old-fashioned red-ball Tests as well. For Test cricket to remain popular, it needs to avoid fiascos like the one at The Oval. By ensuring that all steps are taken to achieve a fair result in the game, the ICC would do a lot of good to the teams, the players, the spectators and of course, Test cricket itself.