New Zealand’s Tim Southee prepares for a training session on the eve of the second Test cricket match against England at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Thursday. — AFP
New Zealand captain Tom Latham has echoed England counterpart Ben Stokes' suggestion that the required over-rate in Test matches might need to be reconsidered for games dominated by seam bowling. Both teams faced fines and WTC point deductions for failing to maintain the required 15 overs per hour in the first Test in Christchurch, which England won by eight wickets on Sunday. Stokes responded to the penalty with a sarcastic social media post, noting that the Test concluded more than two days early, and later disclosed his refusal to sign over-rate sheets as a form of protest.
"The frustration stems back to the Ashes," Stokes said in Wellington ahead of the second Test. "It's been over a year since I made comments about over-rates to the match referee and umpires, and we've yet to receive a response from the ICC." He added, "There's never an over-rate issue in Asia due to the prevalence of spin bowling. There needs to be consideration for how over-rates differ, especially in seam-dominant Test matches." Penalties for slow over-rates have already ruled England out of contention for next year's WTC final, while the three points lost in Christchurch have jeopardized New Zealand's slim chances.
"It's a challenge to achieve 15 overs an hour when the ball is frequently finding the boundary," Latham said on Thursday. "In the subcontinent, where spin is heavily used, this isn't an issue." He suggested, "Perhaps this is something that needs reviewing, as we strive to meet the requirement, and no team wants to fall behind in over-rates. But it is undeniably challenging." With both teams unchanged and only one specialist spinner among the 22 players set to start the second Test, it seems likely that England and New Zealand will again struggle with over-rate regulations at Basin Reserve.
Fans were treated to a thrilling encounter the last time these teams met at the ground in early 2023, when the Black Caps won a remarkable Test by one run after following on, thwarting England's bid for their first series win in New Zealand since 2008.
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