Former Australian captain Mark Taylor says he was “shocked” to see play ended by bad light on day two of the first Test in Galle, given Pat Cummins had just taken 16 runs off an over.
Play ended early in farcical scenes with Australia taking its first innings lead beyond 100, as players were forced to leave the field despite the fact Sri Lanka had two spinners operating at the time.
The laws of the game state the umpires can take the players from the field if conditions are dangerous. While the ground in Galle doesn’t have floodlights, Taylor expressed surprise that play finished early, especially as Cummins had launched the last ball of the previous over right out of the ground.
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“I was watching it on TV and I was shocked to see them going off,” Taylor told Wide World of Sports.
“My wife said to me that it didn’t look that bad, and I know that the cameras can make it look better than it is, but it can’t have been too bad because ‘Cummo’ had just taken 16 off the last over.
“Sri Lanka’s quick bowler, Asitha Fernando, wasn’t bowling at the time. If he’d been bowling short stuff, well fair enough, but I don’t know who was in danger.
“I was as surprised as anyone when they went off.”
Time had been lost earlier in the day after wild weather swept across the ground, causing a grandstand to collapse, fortunately without injury to any spectators.
“I’ve been an advocate for years of four-day Test matches, but if that idea is to have any chance of succeeding we need to maximise the amount of play each day,” Taylor explained.
“It would be to everyone’s benefit that something like this doesn’t happen.
“I can’t for the life of me see what the thinking was. If it’s not dangerous in the opinion of the umpires, well, play on. It should be that simple.
“When two spinners are bowling to two tailenders who are swinging the bat, the only people in danger are in the crowd.”
Just 128 of the scheduled 180 overs were bowled on the first two days. On day one we had the extraordinary sight of play being briefly held up while Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey was given a concussion test, after being hit on the helmet by a ball from spinner Nathan Lyon. Carey had a wry smile on his face during the test, as if to acknowledge the stupidity of what was unfolding.
“I’m going to start sounding like a grumpy old man here, but that was extraordinary,” Taylor said.
“I know it’s the protocols, but we’re so mindful of getting the whole concussion thing wrong that it becomes a bit silly at times.
“I saw Niroshan Dickwella got one as well after the ball went from his chest onto the grill. Because it hit the grill he had to have a test as well.
“It’s OH&S gone mad.”
Taylor was full of praise for both Carey and Cameron Green, whose partnership of 84 could prove vital on a pitch where a large fourth innings run chase could prove tricky.
Carey (45) and Green (77) came together with the score at 5-157 and took Australia beyond Sri Lanka’s first innings total.
“Carey was excellent, the way he came out and disrupted the spinners with sweeps and reverse sweeps, anything he could to throw them off their line and length,” Taylor said.
“Green was using his feet well, playing with soft hands, I think already we’re seeing an improvement in his game. He’s already a very good player, but to become a great player you have to continue to improve, and he’s showing signs of doing that.”
Taylor agreed with another former Australian captain, Ian Chappell, that Steve Smith’s reaction to his run out on day one was uncalled for.
“I was disappointed to see that,” Taylor said.
“He’s the vice-captain of the side, a former captain, and as frustrating as it is to be run out, you’ve got to be better than that.
“Sure, you might show initial frustration, but to continue to shake your head and gesticulate for the entire time you’re walking off is a disappointing reaction.
“You’ve got to be able to put the individual disappointment behind you for the benefit of the team. His initial reaction was fine, but it went on too long.”
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