Explained: Have Edgbaston boundaries been shortened to aid England's Bazball vs India?

India Today

14 hours ago

The boundary dimensions at Edgbaston had everyone talking as soon as play began in the second Test between England and India. From the press box to the stands, seasoned watchers immediately spotted something odd: the boundary cushions weren't where you'd expect them. They looked distinctly asymmetrical and unusually close in for a Test match at one of cricket's most storied venues.advertisementTurns out, this wasn't a ground staff quirk. Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum are understood to have had a say in moving the boundary rope significantly in from the perimeter - a move that echoes a similar tactic from the iconic 2005 Ashes. Back then, England had shrunk the playing area to tilt the battle in their favour against the great Shane Warne. This time, as the match unfolded, it was hard to ignore the sense of deja vu.The most glaring example was the boundary in front of the scoreboard - wide long-off for a right-hander from the pavilion end. It looked almost comically close. Some in the media centre joked in hushed tones that the leftover playing area could've easily hosted a children's game.
England vs India, 2nd Test Day 2 UpdatesadvertisementThe numbers tell their own story. The longest boundary measured just 65 meters—at cow corner - and the straight boundaries were around 60 metres. Compare that with the maximum allowed under ICC rules, which is 90 metres. Even the shortest legal distance, 59.43 metres, was only just being met in places.Now, here's the thing: India had already announced they'd go in with two spinners. So naturally, questions started flying. Was the boundary brought in to make it easier for England's batters to clear the ropes? A top edge could now comfortably sail into the stands.It's not the first time India have found themselves on the wrong end of boundary dimensions at Edgbaston. During the 2019 World Cup, they were left fuming when one side of the ground was unusually short in their group match against England. The hosts made full use of it, taking Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal apart - and neutralising one of India's biggest weapons.FINN, LLOYD RAISE CONCERNSFormer England all-rounder David Lloyd couldn't quite wrap his head around the setup either. "I was confused by how far in the boundary ropes were. I think it has something to do with having them not too close to the advertising boards," he wrote in the Daily Mail.advertisementSteven Finn, the former England fast bowler, had a different take. He tied the move to England's fearless 'Bazball' approach. "So we're here at Edgbaston. I stood right by the boundary rope, which is a considerable way in from where you may anticipate for a normal Test match," he said on BBC. "England and their propensity to want to win the toss, bowl first and chase in the last innings maybe is the reason why those boundaries have come so far in."WHAT DO ICC RULES SAY?The ICC's official guidelines are clear: "The aim shall be to maximise the size of the playing area at each venue. With respect to the size of the boundaries, no boundary shall be longer than 90 yards (82.29 meters), and no boundary should be shorter than 65 yards (59.43 meters) from the centre of the pitch to be used."So, technically, Edgbaston's setup doesn't break any rules - but it does nudge right up against the minimum.And when you look at England's recent chasing history, it all starts to add up. They pulled off a famous fourth-innings chase of 378 against India at this very ground in 2022 - their highest in Test history. More recently, they hunted down 371 in Leeds, smashing 352 runs on the final day alone - the second-most ever scored on the fifth day of a Test. Only Don Bradman's Australia managed more, with 404 in 1948.It's a trend that makes Finn's theory hard to dismiss. Whether the short boundaries were planned specifically for this Test or not, they certainly play into England's hands. And while it might be within the rules, the question remains: does it sit right with the spirit of the game?- EndsYou May Also Like