Law 3. (The Umpires)
1. (a) Three umpires shall adjuicate during the match, with two on the field and one off the field, with a system of rotation to ensure that each umpire is on the field for two sessions.
This isn't a bowler-friendly law-change, but I think it is important for international and first-class umpires to function at the highest possible level throughout the match. With the amount of top level cricket increasing, the international umpires are making mistakes that may not have occurred had they not been fatigued. Having three umpires will reduce fatigue and increase their skills at judgement.
Law 6. (The Bat)
4. Bats shall weigh no more than 1.25kg
Advances in technology have meant that bats have, over the years, become far more powerful than they ever were historically. Mis-hits that would have been caught in the outfield are now going for six simply because of the increase in batting power. By limiting the weight of bats to 1.25kg (the maximum is around 1.4kg today) the batsmen will find it harder to score runs.
Law 10. (Preparation and maintenance of the playing area)
1. The pitch shall not be rolled during the match under any circumstances. Previous laws that allowed rolling between innings are no longer applicable.
3. (a) The pitch shall not be mowed during the match under any circumstances. Previous laws that allowed mowing before or after play are no longer applicable.
3. (b) The outfield shall not be mowed during the match under any circumstances. Previous laws that allowed the mowing of the outfield during the match are no longer applicable.
Before the match starts, the pitch should theoretically be as batsman-friendly as possible, and the outfield should be as fast as possible. As the match progresses, the conditions should begin to swing towards the bowler. By removing the option to roll the pitch between innings, the pitch will wear quicker. Similarly, by not mowing the pitch after play, the normal growth of grass will produce some interesting quirks on the pitch. Finally, with the outfield unmown, the ball will slow up after being hit, restricting the amount of runs scored.
Law 11. (Covering the pitch)
5. The pitch may not be covered during the nights before the final two days of play.
The game will be won or lost during the final two days of the match. By opening the pitch to "the elements" (ie rain), the pitch will possibly be damp during this time, allowing the bowlers to exploit the conditions.
Law 12. (The innings)
4. The toss shall randomly determine which team bats first.
Instead of having one captain win the toss and elect to bat or bowl, this method eliminates any decision-making on behalf of the captains whatsoever. Calling wrongly on the toss, therefore, is removed from the game's influences.
Law 41. (The fielder)
5. No more than three fielders may be behind the popping crease on the on side.
Due to bodyline, the rules were changed to limit the amount of fielders to two. Allowing an extra fielder may allow leg-side bowling to be punished less.
From the This Salient SportingLife Department
© 2006 Neil McKenzie Cameron, http://one-salient-oversight.blogspot.com/
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2 comments:
I like your suggestions except for the covered pitch rule. I don't see the need to open the game up to another variable that has nothing to do with skill
I can understand why you suggest these changes. I've been following the SA vs Aust. one-day series and I couldn't believe that one game had scores in both innings of over 430! Those scores suggest to me conditions that are too batsman friendly.
Personally, I'd like to see a return to the use of two white balls by a bowling team during an innings. And maybe it's time that the "powerplays" were done away with.
I like your suggestions except leaving the pitch uncovered and the field unkept during a game.
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