Credit to the umpires for making the right call says Joe Root

After losing the third Test at the WACA and eventually trailing with 3-0 in the Ashes, England skipper Joe Root gave credit to the umpires for making a correct call in starting the game after the rain had delayed the start of play on the last morning.

When the game was called off due to rain on day 4, England had lost their 4 top order batsmen. The downpour gave the English batsmen some respite as the Australian bowlers were bowling superbly. Mitchel Starc had just rattled the stumps of James Vince with a thunderbolt of a delivery and was probably threatening to have a few more to his name.

Rain delayed the start

The Australians would’ve hoped for a bright and sunny morning, well, that wasn’t the case as consistent rain with powerful wind delayed the timely start of the game. The conditions at the playing area were of concern as the pitch was exposed when a gusty wind knocked a standing groundsman.

The outfield was all open which didn’t do any good as the things looked ominous from Australia’s point of view. England on the other end, well 6 wickets and they would lose the historic Urn, would’ve hoped the rain continued.

Whenever the showers stopped, the groundsmen started working on the ground trying to make the conditions at the WACA playable. This was the last game WACA was hosting before Australia moved to the newly built stadium. The umpires along with both the skippers were discussing the situations and the possibility of play.

Blowers in the action

The game didn’t start as scheduled but there was action on the field as a few groundsmen with the blowers trying to dry up the damp areas of the 22 yards.

It would have been highly embarrassing if the fifth day’s play would’ve been abandoned in what was the last game at the WACA. But after thorough inspections and small meetings with the skippers of the two sides, the umpires decided to start the game after taking an early lunch on the day 5.

Correct call by the umpires

While speaking to the reporters after the game, Root said, “I think the pitch didn’t really misbehave or become dangerous, credit has to go to the umpires for making the right decision.” “It’s a very difficult one, they (umpires) have a lot of pressure to get the game going but at the same time, the safety of the players is paramount. They got it right.”