|
|
| June 24, 2005 | Friday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 16, 1426 |
ICC may opt for radical changes in ODI rules
LONDON, June 23 Cricket administrators from around the world will be at Lord’s from Friday for a four-day ICC meeting, with several contentious issues like radical changes in one-day format on top of agenda.
The proposals under consideration are to allow substitutions and to change the way fielding restrictions are applied.
ICC’s cricket committee has recommended a set of changes that will make shorter version of the game more interesting.
Instead of existing 15 over field restrictions, ICC cricket committee suggests a first 10-over block of restrictions with two additional blocks of five overs to be applied at discretion of fielding captain anytime during an innings.
A football-style rolling substitution has also been proposed, whereby a player can be replaced at any stage of the match.
ICC meeting in Lord’s is likely to take a final decision, though they could well have a trial period for these proposals.
That could happen during ICC super series in Australia later this year when the world champions play a rest of world team in three one-dayers and a six-day Test match. ICC has to decide on more technology trials. The main proposal is that on-field umpires will be allowed to consult with TV umpire on any aspect of any decision.
Earlier cricket was not commercialised and no player dared to look back at the umpire. The new rules are to reduce any grudge that a player might against a decision being given by field umpire.
ICC meeting also has to decide on what format to use for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006 which will be held in India.
Mismatches such as the Australia v United States contest in last edition considerably devalued the competition. If Champions Trophy is to be considered a mini World Cup, then it has to have a more viewer friendly format.
Meanwhile, tactical substitutions and increased technological help for umpires could soon be introduced into cricket.
The ICC could agree to using substitutes in One-day Internationals, starting with NatWest Challenge between England and Australia.
An ICC spokesman on Thursday said: “There is a clear possibility it could come into force for the NatWest Challenge.”
Teams would be able to haul off a bowler or batter who was not performing well in a game.
India legend and ICC committee member Sunil Gavaskar said: “It will add more thrill to the game and at the same time will give a captain more tactics to play with.”
The committee will also consider a technology trial at Super Series in October.
This will enable on-field umpires to consult the television umpire on all decisions, including lbws, but not low catches.
ICC spokesman said: “It was felt television replays do not really help when deciding low catches but from an lbw point of view the pitch in line could help. The final decision will rest with on-field umpires though.”
The annual meetings start on Friday with chief executives’ committee and will finish on Tuesday with the annual conference and cricket business forum.
It will be last time they are held at Lord’s as the ICC is moving its headquarters to Dubai in August.—Agencies
|
|
