ICC Cricket Committee's recommendations

Source : Cricinfo

The ICC Cricket Committee (CC) has produced a series of recommendations in relation to the playing of cricket that will now be considered by the ICC Chief Executives' Committee at its next meeting on June 24-25 at Lord's.

The committee, which is chaired by former India captain Sunil Gavaskar and comprises 12 other members with international playing experience, made recommendations on the following issues in its meeting that concluded in Dubai:

Cricket bats
The CC recommended the establishment of an expert panel to work with the game's law makers, the MCC, and bat manufacturers to review the laws and regulations governing the manufacture of cricket bats.

Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive, said that the members of the CC were unanimous in seeking to preserve the traditions of the game. "The committee upheld the view that cricket should remain a battle between a wooden bat and leather ball with the members strongly of the opinion that innovations that enhance the striking power of a bat should not be permitted.

"The CC recommended that an expert panel should be established to review the matter in conjunction with the MCC, bat manufacturers and selected universities with the necessary research facilities."

CC Chairman, Sunil Gavaskar, and former international players Angus Fraser, Tim May, Arjuna Ranatunga and David Richardson have been recommended for appointment to this panel. To assist the panel in its deliberations, the CC made a number of ecommendations in relation to the composition of bats to be used for international cricket. These are:

1. That the dimensions of the bat should remain the same
2. That the bat should have a conventional shape
3. That the splice and handle be clearly defined
4. That the blade of bat should be made of a single piece of solid wood
5. That the practice of injecting substances such as cork is to be illegal
6. That any cover should be used to protect, strengthen and repair the bat and not improve the striking power of the bat
7. That the bat should remain the colour of natural wood.

As part of its deliberations the committee also considered the specific case of the Kookaburra bat used by several international players and agreed that the status quo should remain wherein these bats can be used by all players pending a final decision from the MCC on their legality in relation to current regulations.

One-day international cricket
The CC recommended a change to the way that fielding restrictions apply in ODI cricket. It recommended that restrictions should apply for the first 10 overs of every innings with two additional blocks of five overs to be applied through the course of an innings at the discretion of the fielding captain. The CC was of the view that these blocks of five overs could be used consecutively or randomly at the discretion of the fielding captain.

The CC also recommended the introduction of soccer-style substitutes for international cricket wherein a player could be replaced at any stage of a match but would then be ruled out for the remainder of the match. Both the substitute and the substituted player would receive a cap and the replacement could happen at any stage of the match, including during a batting innings.

Gavaskar said that these innovations would introduce a new tactical dimension to ODI cricket. "I think change to the way the fielding restrictions work will enliven the game and introduce a new element of unpredictability throughout the course of an innings. It will also be interesting to see how sides adapt to the tactics of introducing a substitute and to see what impact this has on selection issues and it is recommended that this be introduced in time for the Super Series in Australia this October."

Technology
The CC also recommended that a technology trial should be undertaken at the Super Series to allow on-field umpires to consult with the TV umpire on any aspect of any decision. The final decision after these discussions would remain with the on-field umpire. The only exceptions to this would be line decisions, which would be dealt with by the TV umpire in the same manner as at present, and catches, where the existing process would also be retained. The current practice for catches is that they are only referred where both umpires are unsighted as this is one area where TV replays have proved inconclusive.

David Richardson, the ICC General Manager - Cricket, explained that this trial would build on a similar trial at the ICC Champions Trophy 2002 in Sri Lanka. "The Super Series will be our first opportunity to trial this process in Test match cricket," he said. "We are of the view that the on-field umpires should retain their position of authority in the decision-making process and the members of the Elite Panel are already averaging over 94% of correct decisions. This trial will help us understand what impact a referral system may have on this correct decision percentage as well as the flow of the match."

It was also recommended that earpieces should be used in all ICC events to help on-field umpires in judging faint edges. The CC was of the view that the judgement of no-balls should remain an on-field matter.

Umpires
The CC rejected a proposal that there should be two neutral umpires in all international cricket, meaning that in ODI cricket one neutral umpire will continue to be appointed by the ICC with one umpire drawn from home board's international representitives.

The CC comprises six members nominated by the players and six representatives nominated by member boards. Of the 12-member committee, 10 representatives (five player-nominated and five board-nominated) come from Test-playing countries.

This is the third year that this meeting has comprised representatives nominated directly by current international players. The ICC is committed to involving players in the decision-making process and this meeting is supplemented by annual meetings with the captains of the Test-playing nations.