May 31, 2007	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 14, 1428

DUBAI, May 30: Volume of cricket and ball-tampering will dominate discussions by newly constituted ICC Cricket Committee which began its two-day meeting here on Wednesday.

ODI playing conditions, use of glue on pitches and referrals to TV umpire will be also among subjects to be discussed, the International Cricket Council said.

Volume of cricket has been a sensitive issue among players in recent months. The committee will consider amount of international cricket being played, effect on standard and quality of cricket played.

Ball tampering has come under topics of discussion after Executive Board, at its meeting in Mumbai last November, asked Committee to review it following events of Oval Test in August last.

It was also asked to consider whether, in future, action should be taken against captain and person/s responsible for ball tampering or just person/s responsible, whether it is necessary to legislate to make it compulsory for umpires to first warn a captain before taking action, and whether any amendments are required to definition of ball tampering as contained in Laws or to guidelines relating to this offence as set out in ICC Code of Conduct.With regard to ODI playing conditions, a range of issues are to be discussed including power-plays, over-rates, ball changes a free-hit for batsmen following a front-foot no-ball, and size of boundaries.

Glue on pitches have been used in England, New Zealand and India. The committee has been asked to discuss principle of using adhesives in the preparation of pitches. It has also been asked to determine a policy concerning its use for international matches.

In relation to referrals to TV umpire, it will discuss whether to allow on-field umpires to consult with TV umpire on decisions relating to any such catches they were unsure about and also allow TV umpire to initiate contact.

It has also been asked to consider whether it should recommend use of player appeals to TV umpire at this year's ICC Twenty20 World Championships if such a system, currently being trialled in UK domestic one-day cricket, proves successful.

The committee, chaired by former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, includes Mark Taylor, Mahela Jayawardene and Michael Holding.—Agencies