ICC World Cup | Start game at 11:30 a.m. to eliminate dew factor, calls on R Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted the role of dew in cricket matches in Asian conditions and suggested changing day/night match schedules to address the issue. The veteran spoke about the issue in the context of the ongoing ODI series in India and how teams are preparing for the World Cup.
“India struck beautifully from a slow wicket and posted a score well above par. Yet they ended up having to fight tooth and nail [to win]. The difference in quality between the teams is not felt – the dew reduces that gap if you lose the draw,” Ashwin said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
Ashwin said ODIs should be brought forward by two hours to reduce the impact of dew on matches while stressing how the aura of the World Cup would ensure people tuned in regardless of the time.
“My suggestion – or rather my opinion – for the World Cup is to look at what venues we play and at what times. Why shouldn’t we start games at 11:30 during the World Cup? People will bring up the viewers. and broadcasters, and say people won’t latch on and watch at that time, but wouldn’t they latch on to the World Cup games?” He asked. “The recent T20 World Cup was also held in winter, with a preference for summer [for Australia’s home bilateral season]. It wasn’t the ideal scenario – T20 is a fast game, how can you play it in the winter? People will say that’s not the case in Australia, but we still have to prioritize the World Cups,” explained Ashwin.
“The ICC know very well that there will be dew, so let’s bring the game forward, and if we start at 11:30 a.m., the dew factor will not come into play, and why not? Not all cricket fans will give not the priority in the world Cut and watch the games at 11:30? he added.
The debate had already arisen at the end of the World T20 2021 also in the United Arab Emirates where the draw had apparently decided matters without even a ball being thrown on numerous occasions. Ashwin revealed that teams were wary of such tactics, increasing the importance of sweeping changes.
“The ECB recently launched a call for analysts and – I learned this from some analysts I know – one of the important questions they asked was: ‘What is dew important in Indian white ball cricket conditions?” They are looking to bring the best possible analysis tools ahead of the 2023 World Cup, and they have asked all the relevant questions, so you can see how much everyone in world cricket thinks the dew factor is in Indian conditions.”
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