Virat Kohli was not impressed with the umpires' decision to call off play early on day four
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke expressed his frustration over the lack of play over the last two days in the fourth and final Test between India and Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
For two consecutive days now, play was called off early by the officials because of bad light and that frustrated not only the players but also the fans, who at point, used the flashes of their cell phones to indicate that there is enough light.
Following on, Australia ended the day on 6/0 in their second innings after bad light forced early tea. Following which, play was not possible as the umpires decided light was not enough to carry on and rain also played a part behind the early call off of play.
Only 25.2 overs were bowled on day four of the Test match on Sunday and Clarke was not pleased with it.
"I think it's a disgrace to our game. I think it's sad for Test cricket. We are trying to keep as many eyes on the television and people paying their money to go and watch Test cricket but this is not helping. This is the last thing Test cricket can afford to have no rain yet you still can't play.
"Millions of dollars are being spent on stadiums all around the world, you got the best lights in the world yet you can't get back out on the field. It's disgraceful for our game and quite embarrassing to be honest," India Today quoted Clarke as saying after the end of day four's play.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was also not pleased with the umpire's decision to end play early and said that today was a Sunday and play should have gone on as long as possible.
"This has happened on a Sunday. Tomorrow being a Monday, not many people will be able to come and watch the match. Once it's raining we can understand that there is no play. There has to be something done about this because as Michael said 'you played a day-night game', ok the colour of the ball is different but something needs to be done."
"Where is the question of batsman suffering a serious injury? They have all the protection in the world. Some thought needs to be put because this is the pinnacle of the sport. We have got to get the threshold of where the umpires decide the light is really poor," Gavaskar added.
India need 10 wickets to script history and take the four-match series 3-1 on the last day of the fourth Test at the SCG but rain again remains a concern for the visitors while for the hosts, it might be a blessing in disguise.
