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Botham tells the ICC to wake up

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Ex-England star slams rule makers for lack of common sense and demands more flexibility for match referees.

In the build-up to Saturday's third one-day international between England and New Zealand, Sir Ian Botham has hit out at the cricketing authorities.

Reacting to the abandoment of play in the second one-day international between England and New Zealand with the Kiwis potentially needing just one over for victory, the former-England all rounder said: "The powers that be need to wake up to the fact they are in the entertainment business."

Botham questioned why a 30 minute break was needed between innings and asked: "When will the ICC wake up? Common sense must prevail."

He feel supporters, who waited until three o'clock for play to begin at Egbaston, were left short-changed:

"If I was here as a member of the public I would feel cheated. This is where match referees need to step in. They need more flexibility."

Events at Egbaston have spiced-up the series with New Zealand determind to claw their way back into the five match series at Bristol on Saturday.

The match odds have England at [1.57] and New Zealand [2.54].

• Cricket