Sport - Cricket

ICC’s new playing conditions

CHENNAI: The batting side will be allowed to choose the timing of either the second or third Power Play in One-Day Internationals, as the ICC’s new playing conditions, aimed at reducing the monotony of the format, came into effect on Wednesday.

The change — from the previous scenario which left the decision on both sets of Power Play to the fielding captain — is one of several amendments to the playing conditions unanimously approved by the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee in June.

Another amendment to the Power Play rule relates to the number of fielders outside the 30-yard circle. Three fielders will be permitted outside the field-restriction areas during both the second and third Power Plays.

Previously, the third fielder was allowed outside the circle during either the second or third Power Play. According to the ICC, the idea behind the amendment is to offer spinners more protection during this period.

An amendment already in effect pertains to the shortening of the interval between the innings of an ODI. The change, which allows the umpires to reduce the break if the innings of the side batting first is delayed or interrupted, was implemented immediately after the committee’s meeting in June, following a farcical finish to an England-New Zealand match.

The stipulation allows the umpires to shorten the break from 45 minutes to 30 minutes if up to an hour is lost; if more than hour’s play is lost, the duration of the interval will be agreed mutually by the umpires and both captains, subject to the interval being no longer than 30 minutes or shorter than 10 minutes. The match referee will determine the length of the interval if an agreement isn’t reached.

The committee also retained the conditions pertaining to the mandatory change of the ball at the commencement of the 35th over in ODIs and free hits following a foot fault no-ball in ODIs and Twenty20 Internationals.

In an amendment that applies to all forms of the game, on-field umpires will now be permitted to consult the television official on whether a catch is completed cleanly. Following such consultation, the final decision will be made by the umpire at the bowler’s end. Should the umpire still be unable to decide, a not-out verdict shall be returned.

The committee also cracked down on what it termed “comfort breaks”, pertaining to the use of substitutes. “Substitute fielders shall only be permitted in cases of injury, illness or other wholly acceptable reasons,” says the stipulation, adding that “wholly acceptable reasons” must be limited to extreme circumstances.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu