4th Ashes Test: Umpires decided to play without bails on Day 1; watch

Mumbai: A peculiar incident took place on day one of the fourth Ashes when umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Marais Erasmus decided to continue play by taking the bails off because of strong winds. The conditions in Manchester forced the umpires to take this bizarre decision. Along with strong winds, the match was interrupted by frequent showers.

In the 32nd over Stuart Broad bore the brunt of the winds and seemed angry about bowling in the winds and clearly wasn’t impressed. Further, he was even more infuriated when these winds brought together a chips packet just as he was beginning to run into bowl the fourth ball. Then, a chocolate wrapper was blown into the centre and Marnus Labuschagne pulled out once again when the bowler began his run-up.

Later on, the winds also knocked the bails down. Now, Broad decided not to bowl and watched the events unfold. There was an attempt to put the bails back in place by the umpires but they were knocked down again. Ultimately it was decided that the bails should be removed. This move is legal according to the laws of the game.

Article 8.5 of the ICC states that: “The umpires may agree to dispense the use of bails, if necessary. If they do agree then no bails shall be used at either end. The use of bails shall be resumed as soon as conditions permit.”

The England players were clearly not impressed by this decision and made their feelings known to the umpires.

Here’s the video.