What to do about Test cricket’s slow play problem

Slow over-rates. A topic frequently discussed but that never goes away.

Only 72.3 overs were bowled on day two of the third Test at Lord’s.

That means, including the necessary time taken for a change of innings, 15 overs were lost from the match not because of rain or bad light but because of the slowness of play.

A further 19 overs were lost over days three and four.

There was Indian frustration at the end of day three as England opener Zak Crawley used delaying tactics, meaning one over took seven minutes.

England have subsequently been docked two points in the World Test Championship (WTC) and fined 10% of their match fee for a slow over-rate.

They were deemed to be below the required rate despite mitigating circumstances, including India captain Shubman Gill having an eight-minute massage on the outfield and Ravindra Jadeja taking a toilet break while batting on day five.

The stoppages are a poor look for the sport, but what are the rules, do over-rates matter and what can be done?