Michael Vaughan has vented his frustration at Test cricket administrators around the world after play was abruptly stopped on day two of the New Year’s Test between Australia and Pakistan, due to poor lighting.
"In Test match cricket, they just always seem to find a way of getting off the pitch at every opportunity," the former England captain said in commentary on Fox Cricket.
Michael Vaughan criticises cricket administrators as bad light halts Test match
After toiling throughout the opening two sessions, the Aussies were finding it tough going in overcast conditions at the SCG.
MORE: Latest weather updates from Sydney for New Year's Test between Australia & Pakistan
Usman Khawaja had recently been removed for a patient 47 off 143 balls, bringing Steve Smith to the crease alongside Marnus Labuschagne.
Yet the duo didn’t get to spend too much time at the crease together when the on-field umpires convened and decided to halt play much to the displeasure of the Sydney crowd.
"Seriously, is it that dangerous!?" Vaughan bemoaned.
"If this was 20 or 50 over cricket, you just stay out there and get on with it. It’s an entertainment business."
Vaughan was left fuming with the stoppage after the stadium’s lights had been used in the previous few hours to counteract the gloomy conditions.
He stated the constant stoppages were continuing to harm the appeal of the longer format of the game, just a week after he voiced similar opinions when play was halted during the Boxing Day Test after the third umpire got trapped in a lift at the MCG.
"I can’t stand this happening in the game," Vaughan continued.
"In Test cricket – the greatest format – the game continues to have these kinds of moments."
MORE: Bizarre incident in Boxing Day Test as play comes to a sudden halt
It was revealed the on-field umpires had offered Pakistan captain Shan Masood the opportunity to remain on the field, as long as he utilised his spin bowlers rather than anyone in his pace attack.
However, the skipper refused to do so, with the stoppage ushering in an early tea break before the covers came out as rain started to come down.
"It’s so frustrating," Vaughan said.
"I can’t have it with Test cricket and having so many moments like this.
"There’s a good crowd in here at the SCG and we’ve got a tight Test match. But now we’ve got cameras which are going to be on the players up in the pavilion doing nothing.
"It’s one of the bugbears of the game that the game has never answered.
"If you’re a family, you’ve only got so much money to spend on going to sport. If you paid a huge amount of money to go to this day and all your young kids are with you and you’re seeing this – Test cricket has to come up with a better solution."
"I can't stand this happening" - Michael Vaughan is NOT happy with play being suspended for bad light pic.twitter.com/FTUAsCJ02I
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 4, 2024
Vaughan suggested that administrators had to provide a solution to the issue, claiming that a pink ball could be the answer in the future.
"If the solution is having a ball that we can use in all lights, then why don’t we do that going forward so this doesn’t happen?" Vaughan said.
"It’s down to the game of Test cricket and those who make the decisions to come up with some answers.
"My problem with Test match cricket is like it’s a Grade II building – you can’t touch it or do anything with it.
"But Test cricket has to get real. The ICC and all the boards around the world, they have to realise that what’s gone on this afternoon, it just shouldn’t happen."
