Cricket: Why are teams required to submit their batting order before the start of play?

Question

If the first day's play of a five day test match is completely lost to rain, what is the minimum lead required for the team batting first to enforce a follow on?

Answer 1

In all levels of cricket, it's a courtesy to the scorers and the media (if any) to specify a batting order and a wicket-keeper before the match, but it is not binding during the match. (The designation of the captain, however, is binding.)

The particular example is from the World Cup, where teams operate with a predefined squad of 15. So the preprinted sheets ensure that the playing XI and the substitutes are chosen from the set of permitted players. The batting order is an added convenience.