Too much of cricket may create dearth of pacers: ICC committee

Dubai, June 1 (UNI) Too much of cricket, particularly one-day internationals, could adversely affect the quality and intensity of the game to the extent that fast bowlers might soon become an endangered species, the ICC Cricket Committee has warned.

The newly-constituted committee, headed by Sunil Gavaskar, concluded its two-day meeting here last evening, made a slew a recommendations on issues including ball-tampering, ODI regulations, glue on pitches, international umpiring and role of television umpire.

Volume of cricket being played, however, was deemed as a matter of concern and the committee was of the opinion that the addition of many ODIs in an already congested calendar may have a severe impact on the standard of international cricket and may result in injuries to players and a dearth of fast bowlers.

The committee, asked by the ICC Board to review the ball tampering law recommended that Clause 42.1 of the Standard Playing Conditions should be amended to clarify that when an incident of ball tampering is reported to the ICC match referee, action shall be taken under the ICC Code of Conduct as appropriate against the persons responsible for the conduct.

It also recommended that the umpires should use their judgement to apply the principle that actions taken to maintain or enhance the condition of the ball, provided no artificial substances are used, should be permitted.

The committee nodded in favour of the continuation of power-plays although it resolved that an additional fielder (making three in total instead of the current limit of two) should be allowed outside the 30 yard circle during the second or third power-play.

There should be a mandatory change of ball after 35 overs. A free hit should be introduced for the delivery that follows a front-foot no-ball.

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