Penalty runs for disciplinary breaches

LONDON, MAY 26. the ICC's Cricket Committee - Playing (CC-P) chaired by Sunil Gavaskar has approved the award of five penalty runs on the field of play for all disciplinary breaches covered by the laws of the game.

Announcing the decisions of the committee meeting yesterday, ICC said in a press release that penalty runs to be awarded in both test and one-day internationals will be for a trial period of twelve months.

A proposal from the ECB for the introduction of a six run penalty in one day international matches for each over of an innings not bowled by the scheduled time was approved and will apply to both innings of a match. It has also agreed to the mandatory use of lights in Test matches in conditions where natural light fails. The decision to use lights will be the discretion of the umpires.

A proposal from the Australian cricket board for the use of disciplinary cards was discussed and will be further reviewed at the June 17 meeting of CC - management in London.

To avoid the predictability apparent in many ODI matches, the committee also approved the allocation of bonus points for tournaments and series involving three or more teams. It also okayed bowling of one bouncer per over.

The winner will be awarded four points and two points for a tie or no result.

A detailed assessment of the formula to calculate the award of bonus points will be agreed at the CC-M meeting.

CC-P also decided to continue with the Duckworth Lewis method for a further three years.

After thorough discussion and debate on the pros and cons of technology CC-P has decided to maintain the status quo allowing TV replays to assist umpires in making what are termed `line decisions' covering stumpings, hit wicket, run out and boundaries. Replays can also be used to determine if a catch has been cleanly taken by a fielder.

``In reaching the decision to maintain the current level of technological assistance the committee considered the merits of all options available to it. These included using more or even less technology,'' said Gavaskar.

``Our final decision was influenced by the ICC's recommendations on the restructuring of the international panel of umpires. This proposes to appoint an elite panel of the best umpires to officiate in all test matches from April 2002.''

The view of the committee was that the consistent use of the most highly regarded umpires will improve the overall standard of decision making, and that further use of technology would not, at present, be required, he added.

The recommendations for restructuring the umpires and referees panel will be considered at the June 17 CC-M meeting.

All ICC full member countries plus associates were represented at the meeting. Delegates who attended the meeting were: Sunil Gavaskar (India), chairman; Allan Border (Australia); John Reid Jr. (New Zealand); Zaheer Abbas (Pakistan); Brian Basson (South Africa); Sidath Wettimuny (Sri Lanka); Kris Srikkanth (India); Andy Pycroft (Zimbabwe); Jackie Hendriks (West Indies); A Roquibal Hassan (Bangladesh); David Acfield (England); Geoff Edwards (Canada); John Everett (Scotland); and Harilal Shah (Kenya).

ICC chief executive David Richards and cricket operations manager Clive Hitchcock represented ICC management.

- PTI

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