England v Sri Lanka: bad light, bad decision

Fact: 44 overs were lost at the Oval yesterday because of bad light. Fact: ticket price for the Oval = £ 80.

You might have thought that – with floodlights, a pink ball and a suspension of pace bowling – play could continue for the benefit of spectators but for those that make the decisions – the umpires – the spectators are a low priority. It’s similar in football where the referees and VAR have offended and disenfranchised the public.

Yesterday at the Oval Ben Duckett hit a lively 75 and Ollie Pope a century so there was much for the public to savour – not the covers and no play.

Hopefully the furore over Lords prices (£85) and two Test series which have been inadequately contested will result in a re-think.