ICC cricket committee reviews ODI rules, recommends removal of batting powerplay

The committee, under Kumble’s leadership, reviewed the ODI playing conditions on Monday. (Source: Twitter)

Acknowledging that the balance had shifted too far in favour of batsmen in limited-overs format, the ICC cricket committee on Monday recommended the removal of batting powerplay besides allowing five fielders outside the circle in the last 10 overs.

The committee, headed by former India captain Anil Kumble, discussed the ODI playing conditions, code of conduct as far as player behaviour is concerned, illegal bowling actions, use of technology and helmet safety among other issues.

The committee reviewed the ODI playing conditions and felt that there were times towards the end of an ODI innings when bowling and fielding captains appeared to have limited defensive options available to them. The committee was also conscious that the playing regulations should be kept as simple as possible, and changes kept to a minimum.

The Cricket Committee will recommend to the Chief Executives Committee that there should be three changes to the ODI fielding restrictions: the requirement to have two compulsory catchers in the first 10 overs be removed, the batting powerplay be removed and that five fieldsmen be allowed outside the circle from overs 41-50 instead of four.

This means that for the first 10 overs there will be two fielders outside the circle, for the next 30 overs there will be four fielders out and for the last 10 overs there will be five outside the circle. The commiittee believes these changes will give fielding captains greater freedom to both attack and defend when required.

“We have enjoyed two very productive days of meetings in which the committee discussed a wide range of issues affecting the global game through practical examples and illustrations,” said Kumble, the committee’s chairman.

He added: “Overall it was an extremely positive ‘think-tank’ in which each of the representatives contributed to some robust discussions across the board. I would like to thank all those who added their vast input and experience over the course of the meetings and in making recommendations for the next series of Board meetings in June.”

In an attempt to strike a balance between bat and ball, the ICC will not introduce a regulation about the size of bats, but it will provide input on this issue to the MCC through the consultation process ahead of the re-drafting of the Laws of Cricket in 2017.

The committee reiterated its previous edict that boundaries at international venues needed to be set-up to the maximum size at each venue.

The ICC will consult with ball manufacturers to see whether the characteristics of the ball, particularly the size and durability of the white-ball seam, could be altered to shift the balance between bat and ball.

There was discussion on the calling of no balls, and particularly the delay caused and reviewing on the fall of a wicket. The committee asked ICC to investigate ways in which no balls can be reviewed quickly upon the fall of a wicket, to ensure there are no delays to the batsman leaving the field.

The committee recommended that all no balls in ODI and T20I cricket should result in a free hit, rather than just foot fault no balls.

The committee supported the stronger stance being taken against inappropriate player behaviour, and was concerned at the increasing number of send-offs. It also encouraged referees to apply suspensions rather than fines, more specifically for repeat offenders and for the more serious offences, such as physical contact.

There was also strong support for the current practice of suspending captains for over rate breaches, as there were again concerns expressed about the pace of play in international matches.

There was a discussion on the performance of DRS and the use of technology in umpiring. The committee’s approach to reviewing and simplifying the DRS is firstly to independently test the performance of the technologies that are used today, and once the results are known, to fully review the DRS protocols and procedures.

The ICC has engaged engineers from the Field Intelligence Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston to oversee the testing, which is expected to take place in the second half of 2015.

About illegal bowling actions, Dr Craig Ranson presented on the results of the testing over the past 12 months, and that the network of five ICC – accredited testing centres saw over 100 bowlers tested in nine months, meaning Member countries are starting to deal with the issue more effectively at domestic level, before players reach the international level.

Dr. Ranson also presented on helmet safety, particularly the development of the new British Standard for cricket helmets, and the increasing number of manufacturers that now make helmets that are certified to this new standard.

Whilst the committee did not believe the wearing of helmets should be mandatory at international level, it did strongly recommend that all helmets worn by international players should be certified to this new British Standard (BS7928:2013).

The Cricket Committee’s remit is to discuss cricket-playing matters and to make recommendations to the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee and the ICC Board that will meet in Barbados during the apex body’s annual conference week, from 22-26 June.

Source:: Indian Express