The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on June 25 that it would be introducing major rule changes into one-day international (ODI) matches on a 10-month trial-basis starting on July 30. The major alterations, which were approved at a meeting of the global governing body's chief executives' committee (CEC) at the ICC's headquarters at Lord's, involve an extension of the current 15 overs fielding restrictions to 20 overs as well as the introduction of soccer-like substitution of players.
The CEC approved replacements of players by teams at any stage of a match.
However, the replaced player will be ruled out for the rest of the match while the replacement will be entitled to assume any remaining batting or bowling duties. Both players if on debut would be awarded an international cap.
At present substitutes in all forms of cricket are generally only permitted to fielders.
But under the new rules there would be an increase from present 15 to 20 overs of restrictions where teams are only allowed two players outside the 30-yard circle.
Unlike the present method, the fielding restrictions are only in place for the first 15 overs. But in the new system it would only apply for the initial 10 overs of each innings. However, the remaining 10 overs would be divided into two phases of five overs apiece which must be selected by the fielding captain at anytime during the rest of the 40 overs.
In more ways than one, what really strikes the mind is what effect the two new rules would have on the game.
Understandably so, the reduction of the 15-over restriction to 10 would enable the teams to restrict the run-rate. But letting the captains to decide the remaining two five overs segments would in all probability have them on the horns of a dilemma. Should a captain wait to introduce the first of the five overs when a batsman is set the latter could be comfortably placed to step up the run-rate.
Still, there are two other options on hold for a captain. Either, he introduces the two segments in the middle overs when the opposing team has lost a number of top-order batsmen it may just work out to his advantage.
Then should a skipper wait until the 39th over to begin his two five overs stints, in the hope of getting the top-notch batters out before then, he would once again stand to gain from his decision.
However, should a captain be trapped towards the end with two batsmen in flowing form, he may just live to rue his action as he could kiss his luck and the game goodbye.
In regard to the soccer-like substitution of a player, that appears to be a pretty positive move.
So let all wait and see how the new rule changes in the 10 months trial period evolves.
The CEC decided that the additional 'close-catcher' field restrictions, where two stationary players must be within the 15-yard 'inner circle', should only apply for the first 10 overs.
These two innovations may be on trial during the NatWest Challenge between England and Australia starting on July 7 at Headingley.
However, the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia would both have to give their consent before the introduction of the new rules in the three-game series.
The changes would be reviewed by the ICC's cricket committee, chaired by former India bating great Sunny Sunil Gavaskar - which made the initial recommendations.
As well as the one-day changes, a proposal to undertake a technology trial during the Super Series in Australia in October was also approved.
This would allow on-field umpires to consult with the TV umpire on any aspect of any decision with the final decision remaining with the on-field umpire.
The only exceptions to this would be line decisions, which would be dealt with by the TV umpire in the same manner as at present as well as clean catches, where the existing process would also be retained.
Meanwhile, the ICC also announced the establishment of an expert panel to work with the game's law-makers, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), and manufacturers to review the rules governing cricket bats.
Eyebrows have been raised that some leading players' bats exceed the permitted width of four-and-a-quarter inches and that, following a banned practice in baseball, some bats have been injected with cork in a bid to increase their power.
Law Six, the rule relating to bats, currently states that "the blade of the bat shall be made solely of wood."
In particular, the CEC considered the specific case of the controversial Kookaburra bat used by several international players, including Australia captain Ricky Ponting.
These have a thin film of graphite running down the back in a bid to strengthen the blade.
The CEC did not make a definitive judgement but agreed that the bats should be allowed pending a final decision from MCC on their legality in relation to current regulations.
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