At the conclusion of the ICC Annual Conference in Barbados, the ICC has announced amendments to the ODI playing conditions. That the existing One Day cricket rules were in acute need of an overhaul was never in doubt but questions remain on how far the new rule changes will help in the redressal.
The following are the key rule changes, as per the ICC Media Release.
1) No compulsory catchers in overs 1-10
Considering that the general idea with the rule changes have been to bring bowlers some solace, this should give fielding captains the flexibility to opt for a relatively more defensive field – these two fielders can be shuffled within the 30-yard circle now as opposed to within 15 yards previously. A move that is sure to be made effective use of by imaginative bowlers and captains.
2) No batting Powerplay between overs 15-40
Although, in theory, the batting powerplay was supposed to aid batting teams boost their scores, in reality, coming as it did before the 40th over, it served largely as a momentum-breaker. Most teams were not inclined to indulge in a risk-it-all cavalier approach to batting with 15 overs left to the finish, and quite justifiably so, given the fact that the batting powerplay usually resulted in the fall of 1-2 wickets. Truth be told, most teams would have been content to sail through the powerplay not losing more than a wicket and scoring at 6 RPO.
Doing away with this un-natural imposition on a batting team’s strategy should help a great deal in restoring back to One Day cricket its natural flow. Regrettably, that thought lasts only till one comes on to the next rule change.
3) Five fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle in overs 41-50
Much as one understands the reasoning behind this change – that of checking the run-glut in overs 41-50 – the fact remains that this is a very superficial remedy. Sadly, this is also a reflection of how little the ICC has understood One Day cricket. One Day innings have always had a logical progression – an initial 10 or 15-over period where teams look to tee off; then, the middle overs for consolidation or steady accumulation on earlier gains; and the end overs, with a final no-holds-barred surge towards finishing on a good score.
Now, with this change in place, a batting team, in the 30th over, will have two sets of 10 overs each left – the first with only four fielders out, the last with five out. Will a batting side be ready to take risks and score more in overs 31-40 before the extra fielder goes out after the 40th thereby reducing their scoring chances? In a way, this rule is only a diluted and extended version of the batting powerplay. It is likely to reduce the scores posted by teams, but the ICC would be better off getting it done by having five fielders outside right from over 11 on, at no cost to the flow of the game.
4) All ‘no balls’, not just ‘foot faults’, to result in a free hit
It was a travesty earlier that bowlers were penalised with a ‘free hit’ for harmless foot no-balls but were let off for infinitely more dangerous full-tosses, so, this rule is no surprise. However, keeping in view their objective to make bowlers’ lives better, the ICC could have exempted foot no-balls from resulting in a ‘free hit’ and instead had it only for beamers and bouncers. After all, a bowler is already punished for overstepping and, in any case, a ‘free hit’ is only a T20 gimmick.
To quote ICC Chief Executive David Richardson, the ICC ‘wanted to take this opportunity to make the format simpler and easier to follow for the public as well as maintaining a balance between bat and ball.’ It remains to be seen, from 5 July 2015, when these rules come into effect, how far the ICC succeed in their mission.
