LONDON — New Zealand bowling coach Tim Southee has fired back at India's complaints about England's time-wasting tactics during their recent Test match, arguing that the visitors had "no right to complain" after engaging in similar behavior earlier in the game.
The controversy erupted on the final day of the first Test between India and England in Hyderabad, where the hosts secured a thrilling 28-run victory. Tempers flared when England's lower-order batters, particularly debutant Tom Hartley and Mark Wood, took their time between deliveries, frustrating India's attempts to close out the match.
India's Hypocrisy Exposed
Southee, speaking to reporters after the match, pointed out that India had employed similar delaying tactics earlier in the game. "It's a bit rich for them to complain now when they were doing exactly the same thing on Day 2," he said. "The pot calling the kettle black, really."
According to match statistics, India's over rate during the first innings was notably slow, with several instances where fielders took excessive time to return the ball or bowlers delayed their run-ups. England captain Ben Stokes was even seen gesturing to the umpires about the slow pace at one point.
Key Moments of Time-Wasting
Southee highlighted several specific incidents where India appeared to deliberately slow play:
- "Ravindra Jadeja took nearly two minutes to bowl one over after multiple discussions with the captain."
- "Their fielders consistently walked slowly to retrieve the ball when England were looking to score quickly."
- "There were at least three instances where the 12th man came out with drinks or equipment just as England's batsmen were building momentum."
The Umpire's Dilemma
Match referee Javagal Srinath reportedly spoke to both captains about maintaining acceptable over rates, but no formal sanctions were imposed. Former international umpire Simon Taufel weighed in on the debate, telling Sky Sports: "Time-wasting has become an increasing problem in Test cricket. The laws give umpires tools to deal with it, but there's often reluctance to penalize teams in crucial moments."
The ICC's playing conditions allow umpires to:
- Issue warnings for slow over rates
- Award penalty runs for deliberate time-wasting
- Suspend players for repeated offenses
However, as Taufel noted, "Umpires often give teams more leeway in tense final-day situations, which can lead to accusations of inconsistency. What's needed is clearer guidelines and more uniform application of the rules."
Players and Pundits React
The debate has divided cricket commentators. Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: "India have every right to be frustrated, but they're not blameless here. Test cricket needs to address this issue properly rather than having these petty tit-for-tat arguments after every close game."
Meanwhile, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar defended his countrymen: "There's a difference between natural game tempo and deliberate time-wasting. England crossed that line when they knew India were pressing for victory."
A Growing Problem in Test Cricket
The incident highlights an increasing trend in Test matches, where teams use time management as a tactical weapon. Recent examples include:
- Australia's prolonged DRS consultations against England in the 2023 Ashes
- Pakistan's slow over rates during their series against New Zealand
- Multiple instances of "phantom injury" breaks to disrupt batting momentum
ICC data shows that average over rates have declined from 15 overs per hour in the 1990s to just 13.2 in the last five years, despite the introduction of financial penalties for slow play.
Looking Ahead
With the five-match series poised at 1-0 to England, tensions are likely to remain high. Both teams will need to be mindful of their conduct as the action moves to Visakhapatnam for the second Test starting February 2.
As Southee concluded: "At the end of the day, both teams want to win, but we need to find a balance between competitive spirit and respecting the game's traditions. Maybe this incident will prompt a proper discussion about time management in Test cricket."