- continue (start play)
- reschedule
- forfeit
- wait (delay start of play)
- put them into bat
The first option is quite valid, and may result in either the team that is short on players batting (which is in effect the last option in the list), taking to the field under strength, or forfeiting - all depending on who wins the toss and what they elect to do. I don't believe that the toss of a coin should determine the outcome of a match, and thus unless forfeiture is off the table then the coin toss should not proceed.
But, it is this last option that we will explore in this brief post. My view is that the players that are there are there because they want to play cricket, they don't want to go home, and they don't want to wait around.
To maintain some balance and competitiveness in the match the team that is short on players must bat in order to allow more of their players to arrive to play in time for them to take to the field in full or closer to full strength.
What this does, however, is to deny the opposition the chance of batting first which may or may not be advantageous. As this can have a negative impact on matches, any occurrences of where the toss is not made or cannot be acted on because of an unprepared team should be reported to the governing body who should monitor for rorting, teams that may need assistance, or scheduling issues.
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