Date:06/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/06/stories/2008060655702000.htm

Sport - Cricket

MCC okays Kiwi smart pants

London: Daniel Vettori and his teammates can slip into their smart trousers without the fear of incurring the wrath of the custodian of the game’s law after the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) gave a thumbs-up to their ‘micro-shine’ pants.

The MCC made it clear that the trousers, having a specially designed patch which aids shining the ball, don’t breach the laws on laws artificial aides, which would definitely relieve Vettori and his teammates.

“We believe they conform under law 42.3, so we don’t see a problem with them,” an MCC spokesman was quoted as saying by BBC Sport.

Under the laws, players cannot use substance like wax to shine the ball, while adding an abrasive patch on the trousers to make the ball rougher would also be illegal.

The apparel would make an official debut for New Zealand in October. — PTI