Fans slam Australia for slow over rate on day one of SCG Test vs Pakistan

Last Updated on 1 hour by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Fans unhappy with slow over rate by Australia at the SCG against Pakistan in 2024 New Years’ Test

In a welcome change, rain did not have a say on the first day of a New Years Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). However, the forecast suggests some rain may fall over the coming days, and matters weren’t helped by a very slow over rate on day one of the Test.

By tea, Australia had bowled just 48 overs. In the end, just 78.1 overs were bowled as Pakistan recovered to be bowled out for 313 thanks to Aamer Jamal’s magnificent 82 that took the visitors to a respectable score after falling to 227/9. Australia then faced just the one over, with David Warner, in his final Test, scoring an unbeaten six off six balls to get through to stumps.

Fans took to social media to voice their disappointment. Over rates continue to be a problem in Test cricket which hurts the format as the faster-paced T20 format continues to take preference around the world. Some called called for the captain to be suspended for a Test as the current system of docking World Test Championship points doesn’t seem to be making a difference.

Reactions: Fans disappointed at slow over rate by Australia on day one of New Years Test against Pakistan

“Don’t care how well we’ve bowled, only getting through 48 overs by Tea is embarrassing,” tweeted one fan. “Appalling but not enough is being done about it! 12th man running drinks out to the fielding team happens regularly. It shouldn’t be allowed,” tweeted another.

Here are some reactions to the slow over rate during the first day of the 2024 New Years Test at the SCG.

Appalling but not enough is being done about it !
12th man running drinks out to the fielding team happens regularly. It shouldn’t be allowed

— Jack (@_13JM) January 3, 2024

Don’t care how well we’ve bowled, only getting through 48 overs by Tea is embarrassing #AUSvPAK

— Cameron Douglas (@Cam_Dougie) January 3, 2024

Pat Cummins on the eve of this series: “I think that the Ashes was such an anomaly, really. We’ve never really had over rate issues anywhere else in the world.” https://t.co/Wb8CBQhnyb

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) January 3, 2024

48 overs at tea. Barely half the overs bowled. Absolute disgrace.
Breaks should be taken when they reach 30 overs for lunch, 60 overs for tea and stumps at 90.
Set a time it should take and penalise accordingly how far behind bowling side are at breaks. #AUSvPAK

— Josh Shields (@joshyshields) January 3, 2024

It’s a bit “old man yells at cloud”, but 48 overs bowled at Tea. Operating at 12 overs an hour. Snails pace, and not enough delays in the game to justify it. About time Test teams were penalised harsher to quicken up the pace of play. #AUSvPAK

— Adrian Betts (@TheBetterAdrian) January 3, 2024

It’s appalling. 81 overs completed today with 2 for change over.
The public pay for 90 overs in a day ! No rain breaks or other delays.

— Jack (@_13JM) January 3, 2024

Pat should be suspended for a match and the umpires need to take control of the game. It’s pathetic. The game is on the nose as it is.

— Lenny (@AdV_76) January 3, 2024

48 overs in the first two sessions. Australia can’t take the Test high ground, they are hopeless at getting even close to 30 overs a session. #AUSvPAK

— Sean Opie (@kiwisean1) January 3, 2024

The overrate penalty has to be one of the most biased rules of @ICC . I think there were no rain interruptions today and still Aussies have managed only 80 overs. They defaulted multiple times last test too but no fine. Let’s see what happens this time #AUSvPAK #PAKvsAUS

— Prajjwal Agrawal (@40minsOfBadCric) January 3, 2024

Australia will begin day two no wicket for six after Pat Cummins took his third-consecutive five-wicket haul. The Australian captain’s career statistics took another boost, further enhancing his status as one of Australia’s greats.

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