Sports · Cricket · 1 hr ago
Cloudy afternoons cut short play in Durban Test despite early starts
Play in the Test at Kingsmead in Durban has repeatedly stopped early because of bad light.
The match began at 09:30 local time, but on day one play ended at 15:23 after just 65.2 of the scheduled 90 overs.
Play also finished early on days two and three.
The first two sessions each day were hot and sunny before cloud built in the afternoon.
A sea breeze and rising humidity have helped the cloud thicken and lower, according to weather presenter Chris Fawkes.
The interruptions matter because they have cut into the time available for play, even with an early start.
The information available does not say what will happen next.
Play in the Durban Test was repeatedly stopped early as afternoon cloud built, despite a 09:30 local start.
On day one, play ended at 15:23 after 65.2 of the scheduled 90 overs.
Play lasted until 16:25 on day two and 16:31 on day three.
The first two sessions each day were hot and sunny before clouds developed in the afternoon.
BBC weather presenter Chris Fawkes said rising humidity helped make the cloud thicker and lower.
- Who
- The players in the Durban Test.
- What
- Afternoon cloud repeatedly curtailed play despite early starts.
- When
- On the first three days of the Test, in October.
- Where
- Kingsmead, Durban, on South Africa’s eastern coast.
- Why
- A sea breeze increased humidity and brought cloud, which thickened and lowered as the air became more saturated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Very quickly in the morning, as temperatures have risen inland as the sun heats the ground, a sea breeze has formed with winds coming from the sea into Durban.
That has caused the cloud to get thicker and lower.
Play was halted at 15:23 local time after 65.2 of the scheduled 90 overs, and the players did not return.
Play continued until 16:25, 35 minutes earlier than it could have.
Play ended at 16:31.
- Start time
- 09:30 local time
- Day one finish
- 15:23 local time
- Day one overs
- 65.2 of 90 scheduled overs
- Day two finish
- 16:25
- Day three finish
- 16:31
Sources
Related news
Tilak Varma run out after mistaking live ball for a boundary
India beat West Indies by 14 runs to lead T20 series 2-1
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 82 runs to win T20I series
Abhishek Sharma's 69 helps India take 2-1 T20 series lead
Karachi school cricketer named Adam Gilchrist scores 117 in PCB tournament
Ravindra Jadeja scores 102 in Ranji Trophy opener
India's West Indies tour recalls the fear of a former cricketing era
Ravindra Jadeja scores 16th first-class century for Saurashtra
India beat West Indies by 14 runs to take 2-1 T20 series lead
Springer says teams must defend against Abhishek Sharma
Australia A uses pace bowling to overcome India
