BENGALURU: In its recent meetings in the city, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) World Cricket Committee chaired by former England captain Mike Gatting revealed that it has officially made three more recommendations to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to improve the health of Test cricket, the traditional format of the sport.
Firstly, the MCC is keen on a standard or the same type of ball to be made in all matches (except day-night Tests) of the first-ever World Test Championship starting with this summer’s Ashes series in England to maintain a good balance between bat and ball. Trials of the use of different balls have been taking place in different countries at first class level. The ICC has the choice to select from the Dukes ball, the Indian SG ball or the Kookaburra ball.
Secondly, the MCC is of the opinion that the pace of play in Test matches must be livened up in order to engage more fans with the format.
In MCC’s recent survey, 25% of fans from England, Australia, New Zealand & South Africa mentioned slow over rates as a reason to be disillusioned with it. ICC’s statistics from May 2018 showed that over rates in the last year were the lowest in the eleven years that they had been measured at 13.77 per hour. To tackle the issue, a timer can be shown on the scoreboard, to count down from 45 seconds from the call of ‘over’. (This would be increased to 60 seconds for a new batsman on strike and 80 seconds for a change of bowler).
If either side is not ready to play when the clock reaches zero, they would receive a warning, with further infringements in that innings resulting in five penalty runs being awarded to the opposition. This is consistent with Laws 41.9 (time wasting by the fielding side) and 41.10 (batsman wasting time). A similar timer to be used at the fall of wickets, potentially with variable times, depending on the distance from the dressing rooms to the pitch, and at drinks breaks.
Batsmen and fielders should be in position before the clock reaches zero. During the contentious DRS review, the standard protocol should be cut short as soon as the TV production team is aware that it will be Not out. For example, time is often spent trying to discern an inside edge for LBWs, only to see, for example, that the ball was missing the stumps. As soon as the ball tracking has been loaded, if it will result in a not out decision, the TV umpire should be informed immediately.
Lastly, the innovative ‘Free Hit’ that has resulted in more runs being scored in ODIs and T20Is, could be introduced in Test matches as well according to the MCC committee. This can speed up the game and ensure more discipline amongst bowlers, making matches more competitive too.
