Re: ICC's bowls a bouncer to the bowlers
Good for fielding team.
Still batsman-friendly, same taste but wrapped in a different and more appealing wrapper. We are getting there. For all things even, how about introducing an extra fielder if the power-plays are taken within overs 41-50? An extra fielder, making it four in total instead of the recommended limit of three? It is a good start, and it would be refreshing to see captains utilizing such kind of a move in conditions where it favors the fielding side rather than witnessing Australia as perhaps the only country doing it from time to time. If a second or even third power-play is taken within overs 41-50, push back one more fielder outside the circle, for the count of four. The counter-argument in this case might come from; what if the advantage heavily favors the fielding side? That is well and good, it would encourage the fitness level of genuine fast bowlers around the world and they would be more involved in tournaments rather than preserving their energy for the major ones such as ICCCT or the World Cup (exceptions are accepted). It would reduce those ridiculous batting-friendly 300+ pitches with absolutely no moisturizer (I assure you, it is not a typo). For Pete's sake, let's have some even contests and encourage bowlers to bowl at lively pitches in sub-continent. Wherever the soil comes from, bring it in and put an end to these placid wickets.
Le lagg gaye. Imagine Pak captain opting for the third power play from overs 45-50 with Afridi and Rajjak bhai on the crease. Fielding team ki tau vatt lagg gayee.
It is not going to bode down very well. It is a move created to support batting sides and this idea of creating more commercialization. From where I stand, this is not going down very well in favor of the game itself. This should be discarded from the recommendations list.
Counter-argument for above: Batting sides should only be able to take up this decision if they have been put into bat first on a green surface. Then and only then, if both sides agree that it is indeed a wicket prepared especially for the bowlers, the batting side gets a say on when the final power-play will be delivered to them. However, under any circumstances, if the final power-play is introduced within overs 41-50, an extra fielder, a fourth fielder, should be a part of the trio outside the circle. The batting side can get to pick and choose and so does a fielding side. At least have some manner of an even-contest.
"You have 2 mins to make it to the crease, run dude run... give your cigarette to me!!" hahaha
Specify which umpire(s), if and when the rule is implemented. On-field umpires, the third umpire or the match referee? It would be appropriate if other bodies other than the on-field umpires are responsible for these decisions, someone sitting upstairs with a full view would be far more organized and able to keep a strict log of how long of a time it takes for batsmen to walk out. It would be a tough task for the on-field umpires to follow in on every such move.
- Anything related to items which transfers the weight from the umpire's shoulders to that of technology, especially referring the LBW decisions, I am in agreeance with.
Major point I would like to emphasize is the following (from the article):
"Clause 42.1 of the Standard Playing Conditions is 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 person/s responsible for the conduct."
Added recommendation: Let there be video evidence of the "alleged" ball tampering first before any action is taken out. If there is no taped incident of any kind, action should be taken against the umpire who have reported the incident and he should be held responsible for the wrong conduct of his assessment of the fielding team.
