Mike Atherton, Michael Vaughan criticise slow over-rates during India vs England Tests: 'Umpires have lost control'

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12-07-2025

Mike Atherton hit out at umpires and India captain Shubman Gill for receiving a massage on the field as the Lord's Test match lost valuable time. He accused the umpires of losing control of the match. read more
Mike Atherton and Michael Vaughan have been highly critical of teams failing to complete 90-over quota during the ongoing India vs England Test series. Images: Reuters
Former England captain Mike Atherton and Michael Vaughan have expressed frustration at the excruciatingly slow over rate of the ongoing Lord's Test between India and England as teams are failing to complete the 90-over quota. India bowled 83 overs on Day 1 of the third Test in London, while only 75 overs were bowled by India and England on Day 2.
Continuous ball changes and unplanned breaks have been the major reasons behind the teams missing the 90-over target. Mike Atherton has criticised umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula for losing control over the game and questioned by India captain Shubman Gill was allowed to receive medical treatment on the ground.
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Atherton slams umpires, Gill for on-field massage
Gill received a leg and back massage on the field during the 110th over of the England innings on Day 2. Atherton feels umpires should have asked Gill to leave the field of play.
'At one stage, towards the end of England's innings, Gill lay down for treatment on his back, and the umpires condoned a lengthy stoppage, instead of instructing him to leave the field, to allow play to resume,' Atherton wrote in The Times.
'From stoppages for minor injuries, to delays for attempted ball changes, to fussiness over the state of the popping crease — once the groundstaff were called on to flatten where the batsmen were standing — the umpires have lost control of this issue,' added Atherton.
Speaking to the BBC, the former English cricketer Vaughan feels issuing fines to captains and players would not help improve the situation.
'I don't think fines work. I think these lads are quite rich,' Vaughan said. 'I don't think the cash is going to affect them. Been a problem for Test match cricket for a while. I know it's hot. I know we've had a few injuries, but when we get to the fifth day, we have to bowl the 90 overs,' he added.
'I have no idea why on days one, two, three, and four, we can see the game played at a snail's pace. Surely the game moves on by saying on day one there's 90 overs. Guess what we're going to do? We're going to bowl 90 overs on day two exactly the same,' said Vaughan.
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Vaughan says make bowling 90 overs per day mandatory
Vaughan added that making 90 overs per day mandatory would help things improve. 'You watch on day five when the players, the umpires, know that 90 overs have to be bowled. They'll be running around. There won't be as many drinks breaks, there won't be as many delays because they know that 90 overs have to be bowled. So I'd make it very, very simple. You have to bowl the 90 overs. I would guarantee that would improve the pace,' Vaughan said.
Meanwhile, England batter Joe Root has proposed that a team should only be allowed three challenges to replace a ball during the 80 overs, as it would help in speeding up the day's proceedings.