MUMBAI, Oct 16: The new rule on ball changes in One-day Internationals has drawn flak from Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, who said it gave an unfair advantage to the batting side.

The ICC recently introduced the rule which provides for a mandatory change of ball in the 35th over of each innings.

Previously balls were switched when they became soft and pitch-coloured.

Ponting said instead of the 35th over, the ball should be changed by the 41st over as a harder, shinier ball gave advantage to batsmen early in the innings.

“It’s a very big advantage for the batting team to get a new, harder ball that early in the innings. We made clear our view after the first game (against India),” Ponting said.—AFP