NEW DELHI — The International Cricket Council (ICC) looks set to make a string of changes to the rules of the 50-overs game to redress the balance between bat and ball in favor of the fielding team. After a World Cup of record scores by individuals and teams earlier this year, the ICC's Cricket Committee has recommended the batting powerplay be removed and two other tweaks to rules which currently restrict the fielding team. Under the recommendations, fielding teams would no longer have an obligation to have two stationary fielders in catching positions in the first 10 overs of an innings. The committee, chaired by former India captain Anil Kumble, also recommended the fielding captain be able to place five fielders outside the 27-meter circle rather than the existing four for the last 10 overs of the innings. “The committee (acknowledged) the attractive and attacking brand of cricket that was played during the tournament,” said an ICC statement. “It also felt that there were times towards the end of an ODI innings that bowlers and fielding captains appeared to have limited defensive options available to them. “The committee was very encouraged by some of the attacking captaincy displayed during the World Cup, and believes these changes will allow fielding captains greater freedom to both attack and defend when required.” Batsmen like South Africa's AB de Villiers and Australia's Glenn Maxwell lit up the World Cup with an incredible rate of scoring, particularly in the last few overs of their innings. The batting powerplay, which allowed the fielding team to have only three players outside the 27-meter circle for five overs, only contributed to the inflated scoring. The statement said the ICC would not impose a limit on the size of bats but would reiterate that boundaries must be set at the maximum size at international venues. Among other recommendations were that all no-balls in limited overs cricket be followed by a free hit for the batsman, rather than, as now, just for no-balls where the bowler has overstepped the mark. The committee also urged match referees to consider suspensions rather than fines for bowlers who repeatedly abused dismissed batsmen with a “send off,” or for physical contact between opposing players. The committee's recommendations will be considered by the ICC board during its annual conference in Barbados in June. The panel also recommended that Test-playing nations should look at holding five-day matches under floodlights to attract more spectators. The ICC's cricket committee said it had been encouraged by positive reports about the pink balls used in a four-day first-class match in Abu Dhabi in March and discussed day-night Tests at length. “As a result of these discussions, there will be a strong recommendation from the committee to member countries that they should identify opportunities to play Test matches that extend into the evening hours,” an ICC release said. But the committee, headed by former India captain Anil Kumble, said it was not in favor of reducing Tests to four days, although this proposal could be considered in future. — Agencies
