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[chinaman]

Last night, few members were discussing the cricinfo's commentary about light meter. I requested for an explanation and here's what they had to say. Thank you cricinfo for clearing that up.

From: "chinaman"
To:
Subject: Commentary about light meter
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2003 07:37:06 -0400


Hello
Near the end of each days play cricinfo reports something like this:

"the light meter is out and the umpires offer the light to the batsmen, they
accept it and walk away"

It's kind of confusing, since after accepting the light (Floodlight?) the
batsmen should continue to play according to the conventional wisdom or
don't they?

I'd highly appreciate your feedback. Thank you.

chinaman

Return-path:
Envelope-to: chinaman@banglacricket.com
Delivery-date: Fri, 24 Oct 2003 15:10:29 +0100

From: sajann@wisdengroup.com
To: "chinaman" ,comms@cricinfo.com
Subject: Re: Commentary about light meter
Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2003 12:58:54 +0000
Message-ID: <20031024.pDO.52591700@office.wisdencricinfo.com>


Hello,

Offering the light to the batsmen has nothing to do with the switching on of the
floodlights. *Offering the light* is giving the batsmen the choice (meaning if they
want to play they can, otherwise play will be stopped).

Even though the stadium brightens up after the floodlights are switched on it is
hard to play the red ball under those lights, so when the batsmen complain the
umpires *offer the light*

"the light meter is out and the umpires offer the light to the batsmen, they accept
it and walk away"

means they accept the offer to take the decision and decide not to play

hope this will clear your doubt

Regards

[Sham]

"Offering the light" is cricketing jargon for "offering the choice" to the batsmen. I guess it can be confusing now that floodlights have become a part of Test cricket.

[rafiq]

i'd still like to know if they could have started the game a half hour early to squeeze in the 105 overs every day. what's the point of saying you will play 105 when the light is too bad at 95? I think those 11 overs could have give us the lead we were looking for. england was similarly denied the day before, so I guess it balances out.

wonder if any crictics are saying this is all because of the rain.

that's it, a quick movie at home with the kid and then off for a beauty nap before I see you guys in the chat room tonight.

[Sham]

Why aren't they starting a half hour early!! Wouldn't that make perfect sense, to start at 9 instead of 9:30 so they could guarantee more play! They are starting at the same time every and extending the first two sessions, as if that will make the end any earlier!

[acbizz]

Hey they usually don't reply...

good job

[fwullah]

Yes I was also surprised to know that the overs will be covered that way.

I guess the time needed to go to the stadium from hotel, these types of things came into BCB's mind for this.