Cricket Committee to recommend that bowling captain can have one more fielder in last 10 overs
The Cricket Committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC) completed its two-day meeting here on Saturday. The panel, chaired by former India captain Anil Kumble, also comprises the likes of Ravi Shastri, Darren Lehmann, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan. dna understands that the high-profile committee has decided to make a series of recommendations to the world body which will approve (or reject) these at the ICC Annual Conference in Barbados from June 22-26.
Luxury of an extra fielder
You have heard every other skipper, including MS Dhoni, bemoan the presence of just four fielders outside the circle in the 35 non-powerplay overs in ODIs. Thankfully, the panel has heeded to this request. It has decided to allow the bowling captain to have one more fielder in the last 10 overs of the game. So, as it stands, only two fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the first 10 overs. The second block, comprising five overs, will be taken by the batting side and must be completed by the 40th over. Only three fielders will be allowed outside the circle during the second powerplay. Five fielders will be allowed outside the circle for the last 10 overs. This suggestion was made in writing by Kumar Sangakkara (current player representative). The Sri Lankan opted out of this round of meetings, but his suggestion was duly accepted. dna had reported this possibility on Friday. The use of two new balls will continue.
Balance between bat and ball
A lot has been said and written about standardising the size of bats. Given that batsmen wield powerful willows boasting never-ending sweet spots and trampoline-like thrusts, the Cricket Committee has suggested that the ICC consult the Marylebone Cricket Club, custodians of the laws of cricket. That apart, the panel has recommended that bat manufacturers be invited to take part in discussions. However, the most important suggestion made by the panel involves balls, not bats. The Cricket Committee reckons that if the cricket ball were to have a pronounced seam, then it would keep both pacers and spinners happy. It would help pacers move the ball off the seam and aid spinners in gripping the ball better. Research and subsequent trials may take more than a year. The MCC will also be involved in this process. The panel has recommended that bats continue to be made of wood. There shall be no "artificial elements" used.
DRS
The Cricket Committee discussed the Decision Review System (DRS) at length. Not surprisingly, it did not suggest any major changes to the system. After all, that's how the BCCI likes it. But the panel reviewed the research work being carried out at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. It is understood that an engineer of Indian origin is developing a system to test the reliability of the ball-tracking technology (HawkEye). Apparently, he has proposed that laser sensors be installed in cricket balls. This, in turn, would help track the trajectory of the ball better.
Chucking
The ICC is hell-bent on weeding out chucking. The Cricket Committee discussed the possibility of using motion sensors to determine the degree of chucking. The sensors will be fitted to the bowler's arm. Thereafter, it will be connected to a computer so that the operator can determine the measure of 'bending'. However, a lot of things need to fall into place. The panel wonders who will place these sensors on to the bowler's arm. Also, what happens when the bowler dives while fielding and damages the sensors? The panel is worried that these processes will slow down the game.
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