ICC fills in the blanks
Changes ODI playing conditions, allowing fifth fielder outside circle during the last 10 overs and eliminates batting power-play.
The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has, once again, had its way. The Indian board has been trying its best to convince the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reverse the ‘only four fielders outside 30-yard circle’ rule. The ICC has caved in, again.
Former BCCI president N Srinivasan and ODI captain MS Dhoni had been vociferous opponents of the rule. In fact, Dhoni had, more than once, expressed helplessness in controlling the flow of runs in the last 10 overs.
The ICC has announced that, from July 5 onwards, five fielders, and not four, will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the last 10 overs. Two other changes that ICC hopes will go some distance in controlling bat’s domination are: No batting powerplay (which is generally held between overs 15-40) and no compulsory catchers in first the 10 overs.
These changes should make bowlers happy, not every change though. The ICC has decided that from now on all 'no balls', not just 'foot faults', will result in free hits.
The four-fielder rule had come into play in October 2012 and since then there has been a huge rise in large totals (see table). The lack of sufficient protection on the boundaries meant that batsman had the freedom of hitting wherever they wanted to. It also meant that the captain and the bowler are that much constrained while setting the field.
Munaf Patel, who played a key role in India’s 2011 World Cur success, welcomed the changes. “This (four-fielder) rule was in play only for two-odd years. This change will help bringing the totals down. If the teams, who were reaching 325-350, will now have to settle for 300. This will mean improved economy rates for bowlers,” Patel told Mirror.
“If someone gave 60 runs in 10 overs, it was considered decent. As a bowler, you felt helpless. But with five fielders outside, the bowlers will get a little more security. During the World Cup, big runs were being scored because the captain and the bowler had no cover in the deep,” he further said.
Explaining the change, Dave Richarson, ICC CEO, said, “We have thoroughly reviewed the ODI format after a very successful World Cup. There was no need to make any radical changes to what has proved to be a vibrant and popular format but we wanted to take this opportunity to make the format simpler and easier to follow for the public as well as maintaining a balance between bat and ball.”
“In making these adjustments, we have tried to ensure that ODI cricket retains the attacking, aggressive and thrilling brand, which has recently become the hallmark of 50-over cricket and sets us on a positive path to the next World Cup in England in 2019."
Patel also welcomed the changes that did away with compulsory catchers in the first 10 overs. “This will go a long way in stopping boundaries in the beginning. There were times when the captain had to keep these catching fielders even while knowing that the pitch had nothing in it to bring them in play. To give you an example, if Virender Sehwag is batting, captain would like a fielder at point rather than at short covers. Basically, this rule will give more freedom to the fielding side. Cricket is still a batsmen’s game and these changes may help the bowlers only a little. But Iam sure they will take it.”
As for the free-hit rule, Patel said: “You can’t have everything.”
The Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has, once again, had its way. The Indian board has been trying its best to convince the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reverse the ‘only four fielders outside 30-yard circle’ rule. The ICC has caved in, again.
Former BCCI president N Srinivasan and ODI captain MS Dhoni had been vociferous opponents of the rule. In fact, Dhoni had, more than once, expressed helplessness in controlling the flow of runs in the last 10 overs.
He had famously predicted once that time is not far away when a team would score 500 runs. He may not see that day in his career.
The ICC has announced that, from July 5 onwards, five fielders, and not four, will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the last 10 overs. Two other changes that ICC hopes will go some distance in controlling bat’s domination are: No batting powerplay (which is generally held between overs 15-40) and no compulsory catchers in first the 10 overs.
These changes should make bowlers happy, not every change though. The ICC has decided that from now on all 'no balls', not just 'foot faults', will result in free hits.
The four-fielder rule had come into play in October 2012 and since then there has been a huge rise in large totals (see table). The lack of sufficient protection on the boundaries meant that batsman had the freedom of hitting wherever they wanted to. It also meant that the captain and the bowler are that much constrained while setting the field.
Munaf Patel, who played a key role in India’s 2011 World Cur success, welcomed the changes. “This (four-fielder) rule was in play only for two-odd years. This change will help bringing the totals down. If the teams, who were reaching 325-350, will now have to settle for 300. This will mean improved economy rates for bowlers,” Patel told Mirror.
“If someone gave 60 runs in 10 overs, it was considered decent. As a bowler, you felt helpless. But with five fielders outside, the bowlers will get a little more security. During the World Cup, big runs were being scored because the captain and the bowler had no cover in the deep,” he further said.
Explaining the change, Dave Richarson, ICC CEO, said, “We have thoroughly reviewed the ODI format after a very successful World Cup. There was no need to make any radical changes to what has proved to be a vibrant and popular format but we wanted to take this opportunity to make the format simpler and easier to follow for the public as well as maintaining a balance between bat and ball.”
“In making these adjustments, we have tried to ensure that ODI cricket retains the attacking, aggressive and thrilling brand, which has recently become the hallmark of 50-over cricket and sets us on a positive path to the next World Cup in England in 2019."
Patel also welcomed the changes that did away with compulsory catchers in the first 10 overs. “This will go a long way in stopping boundaries in the beginning. There were times when the captain had to keep these catching fielders even while knowing that the pitch had nothing in it to bring them in play. To give you an example, if Virender Sehwag is batting, captain would like a fielder at point rather than at short covers. Basically, this rule will give more freedom to the fielding side. Cricket is still a batsmen’s game and these changes may help the bowlers only a little. But Iam sure they will take it.”
As for the free-hit rule, Patel said: “You can’t have everything.”
