Those pointing at the ICC for Edgbaston's outfield delay are pinning the blame on the wrong donkey

SAM MORSHEAD AT EDGBASTON: This wet, wet summer has been a freak; a hugely unfortunate freak which has taken much of the thrill and fervour out of the early stages of the World Cup, but a freak nonetheless

Governing body-bashing can become quite addictive, and for good reason: there’s nothing quite like a moan at those in charge.

We’ve all done it in one sphere of life or another - whether it be grumbling about bosses, teachers or parents, there is something quite therapeutic about pinning all your frustrations on one particular donkey.

When that donkey is the ICC, it is often for good reason - be that corporate overreach, commercial overload, a failure to export the game and excessive bureaucracy.

When you’re blaming these guys for the actual rain, though, it might be time to have a rethink.

A veritable gaggle of commentators, pundits and fans were quick on the trigger on Wednesday, taking offence at the loss of two overs of play and 105 minutes of matchtime to a wet outfield at Edgbaston.

“It’s got my goat. These are things you can avoid,” Joy Bhattacharjya said on CricBuzz.

^{Fans were left frustrated in the stands at Edgbaston}

“I dare say that if it was in India and in Indian hands, we would make sure that there were enough people to make sure that these things don’t happen.

“I can’t control the rain but I can definitely control how much I cover the outfield.

“It’s just not acceptable.”

Former India seamer Zaheer Khan agreed, saying: “You don’t want these things to happen at this stage of the World Cup because look at the eyeballs.

“It’s controllable. And if there’s something that’s controllable is not being controlled there is an issue there.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan noted his agreement on social media, while the usual barrage of comments flew across the Twittersphere, ripping into everyone and anyone who might possibly be deemed responsible.

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Why couldn’t you have covered the whole ground, they said.

Why did you give England the World Cup?

Why couldn’t they be more like Sri Lanka?

Let’s start with the last point, shall we, as it gathered plenty of traction during the hour-and-three-quarter delay ahead of the start of play.

Comparing the weather systems of England and Sri Lanka, and the ways in which the two countries’ respective groundstaff go about preparing for them, is most unhelpful, like weighing up the radioactivity of plutonium and a bowl of French onion soup. Yes, technically, a comparison can be made. But does it have any real value in the conversation. Or would it be better served poured down the kitchen sink?

Some questions.

How much would it cost to fit all 11 World Cup venues with full groundsheets which, quite frankly, they would never ever use beyond the three, four, five or six matches they are hosting this summer?

How would the funds for these covers be realised?

^{Umpire Ian Gould inspects the outfield}

From where would the small army of labourers needed to shift the tarpaulins be sourced - let’s not forget that upwards of 100 are needed to produce the sort of rainproof quick-change we so memorably witnessed at Pallekelle, Kandy and Colombo during England’s rainy-season tour - and who would be left with the bill?

Sources at Edgbaston on Wednesday also suggested to The Cricketer that the very landscape of the venue may have to be adjusted to create a natural run-off for full-ground covers, ensuring the pooling water collected in the appropriate areas - often there is not enough heat to encourage evaporation.

Leave grass under wet covers in UK conditions and experts will tell you there is a significant upturn in the risk of it becoming diseased.

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This conundrum is not simple enough to be solved by a handful of frustrated panelists several thousand miles away.

Birmingham receives on average two-and-a-third inches of rain every June. In the 10 days immediately prior to the game between New Zealand and South Africa, Edgbaston soaked up more than five.

Last year, one quarter of an inch of rainfall came down on the Midlands city across the whole of June, less than the amount that fell last night alone.

Anyone making a passing visit to the Twitter timeline of Edgbaston head groundsman Gary Barwell over the past fortnight will have seen just how much work it has been getting this ground fit for purpose.

This wet, wet summer has been a freak; a hugely unfortunate freak which has taken much of the thrill and fervour out of the early stages of the World Cup, but a freak nonetheless.

^{Only two overs of action were lost, but fans weren't kept in the loop}

The suggestion that the ICC and the various stadium groundsmen should have not only predicted this weather system hitting the UK far enough in advance to invest in expensive, unnecessary equipment but also put in place the measures to hire the workforce required to make it work is simply farcical, particularly in a region of the world where weather fronts swing in and out like a Dukes ball in the hands of Jimmy Anderson.

Where cricket can improve in these situations is with the way in which information is passed on to matchgoers. Here, many sat in their seats, staring at an uncovered and apparently fit-for-purpose pitch for an hour before the players emerged for their warm-ups. The revised start of play was then announced 55 minutes ahead of time, only for the umpires to take off two overs.

All this no doubt abides by playing conditions and administrative guidelines, but to the naked and untrained eye - and more importantly the eye of the individual who spent £50 or more on the pleasure of being there, it appears a little unfair.

For that, constructive criticism of the ICC feels valid, and a hell of a lot more valid than the argument of those who would be bettered served shaking their fists at the clouds.

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