England-India Test at Lord's Escalates Over Time-Wasting Tactics

The third day of the Lord's Test between England and India was marked by intense time-wasting tactics employed by England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, frustrating India captain Shubman Gill and his teammates. Despite India wanting to bowl at least two overs, Crawley and Duckett deliberately delayed play through repeated pauses, complaints, and even physio visits, drawing sharp reactions and heated exchanges from India players, including Gill and Mohammed Siraj. Umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula faced criticism for allowing these delays, which contributed to a significantly reduced number of overs bowled across the match. The tactics culminated in a tense standoff at the day's close, with Crawley refusing to take guard promptly, leading to a confrontational scene that required umpire intervention. The slow pitch and the hot weather compounded the physical and mental strain on players, making for a challenging and attritional contest. This episode spotlighted ongoing issues in cricket regarding time management and sportsmanship, with a reminder that similar tactics have been used previously in high-stakes matches.