Earlier start time option confirmed for third England v Pakistan Test

Play could begin from 10:30am if rain or bad light leads to a loss of overs during the concluding match of the series at The Ageas Bowl

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Rain or bad light could lead to days during the third test between England and Pakistan starting half an hour early, the ECB and ICC have agreed.

The decision comes after inclement weather meant only 134.3 overs were bowled during the drawn second Test in Southampton.

If any play is lost, the option to move the scheduled start time forward for the following day from 11am to 10:30am, rather than making up time during the evening session, is now available to the umpires and match referee Chris Broad.

Play could still go on until 7:00pm if there are any additional delays and the policy could remain in place for future Tests in England.

The ECB and ICC, in consultation with broadcasters and stakeholders, have held talks since the widespread criticism which accompanied the truncated second Test.

Umpires Richard Kettleborough and Michael Gough, as well as the ground staff at The Ageas Bowl, all came under scrutiny during a frustrating five days on the south coast.

Further unsettled weather is expected for the final match of the three-Test series, with England leading 1-0.

A statement added: "The safety of the players is still the number one priority for this protocol."

Speaking on Wednesday, England coach Chris Silverwood supported the move to switch the start times for the Test.

"We're all here anyway," he said. "It is not like any of us are travelling. It wouldn't be very difficult to make it happen. If there were spectators you would feel for them as well. 

"If you got out there half an hour earlier they would make the effort to get the cricket on. There are a number of solutions that we need to look at and we'll take it from there."

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