Short-pitched bowling, saliva ban, umpire’s call in DRS and WTC: Some of the key highlights during MCC virtual meet


Short-pitched bowling, saliva ban, umpire’s call in DRS and WTC: Some of the key highlights during MCC virtual meet

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), comprising the top officials- Sourav Ganguly, Shane Warne, Kumar Sangakkara and the head Mike Gatting connected virtually on Monday to discuss crucial aspects of the cricket game, which have been the topic of heated debate and invited criticisms over time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Besides deliberating on the aspects of the future of the World Test Championship, they discussed laws pertaining to short-pitched bowling, Decision Review System, and the saliva ban.

Bouncers to lower-order batsmen

The deciding committee mentioned that they would organize a global consultation drive, after which a final verdict would come on the same. 

The MCC, in a statement, said its Cricket Committee, headed by Chairman Mike Gatting, will take views from across the globe on whether the Law relating to short-pitched deliveries is fit for the modern game.

ADVERTISEMENT

The discussion touched various topics that were though-provoking and required some clear thought amid the evolving patterns of the sports. The aspects: balance between bat and ball; whether or not concussion should be recognised as a different injury to any other sustained; changes which are specific to particular sectors of the game – e.g. junior cricket; and whether or not lower-order batsmen should be given further protection than the Laws currently allow were considered by the top officials.

The veteran members of the body, however, reached a common ground agreeing that short-pitched bowling is an integral part of the game at the elite level. As per reports, surveys will be distributed in March 2021 to “specific groups” identified to take part in the exercise, and feedback will be taken into account before taking a call on whether or not to change laws around short-pitched bowling. A decision will be made public by early 2022.

Using Saliva to shine the ball

The MCC Cricket Committee didn’t give a second thought on revoking using saliva to shine the cricket ball. Instead, the officials proposed the extension on the ban as it said the ICC Cricket Committee recommendation would be in place in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since the regulations were introduced, the committee has been closely monitoring the application of only sweat on the ball in relation to the balance of the game. There were some fears raised initially that prohibiting the use of saliva may make conditions too friendly to batsmen,” the statement read.

ADVERTISEMENT

The decision came after some clashes among the officials, some of whom opined that eliminating the use of saliva permanently, while the other allowed its use once again in a post-Covid world.

Umpire’s call in the Decision Review System

Umpire’s call in the Decision Review System has been under the scanner for quite long and as acquired a muddy image because of close-necked decisions.

As per reports, ‘The committee debated the use of ‘Umpire’s Call’ for LBW decisions made via the Decision Review System, which some members felt was confusing to the watching public, particularly when the same ball could either be Out or Not out depending on the on-field umpire’s original decision. They felt it would be simpler if the original decision was disregarded on review, and that there was a simple Out or Not out, with no Umpire’s Call.’

The officials further added that ‘the ‘hitting zone’ of the stumps would still be retained, which had to be hit by at least 50% of the ball for an Out decision. If such a protocol was introduced, they felt it should also include a reduction to one unsuccessful review per team, or for the relevant review to be lost irrespective of its outcome.’

ADVERTISEMENT

The reports also said that other members were satisfied with the current system, feeling that it was important to retain the human element of the on-field umpire’s decision, which takes into account the ‘benefit of the doubt’ that has existed in umpires’ decisions for many years. They felt that supporters did understand the concept of ‘Umpire’s Call’.

World Test Championship

World Test Championship logo

The officials tried to simplify the World Test Championship parameters as its first cycle of edition (2019 to 2021) had some confusions.

The officials emphasised on simplifying points system, besides offering a clear window in the Future Tours Programme for matches to take place. They also assured the marketing of the tournament to make it easier for supporters to understand for the next WTC to be played from which will be played from 2021 to 2023

In addition, the executives also conversed over the host-country umpires in Tests and the prospects of Women’s cricket going forward.

ADVERTISEMENT

Also read: Upul Tharanga retires from international cricket