The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which is known for making laws in cricket, is open to changing the rules regarding short-pitch bowling after a “global consultation” on the subject. The MCC World Cricket Committee met recently via a video conference to discuss issues in modern-day cricket.
In a statement regarding the same, MCC said, “The committee heard that MCC is to embark on a global consultation on whether the Law relating to short-pitched deliveries is fit for the modern game. With research into concussion in sport has increased significantly in recent years, it is appropriate that MCC continues to monitor the Laws, on short-pitched bowling, as it does with all other Laws.”
The Committee, headed by Mike Gatting and which features some greats like Kumar Sangakkara, Sourav Ganguly, and Shane Warne, stressed maintaining a balance between bat and ball.
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Describing the same, the statement read: “There are important aspects to consider in the consultation, namely the balance between bat and ball; whether or not concussion should be recognized as a different injury to any other sustained. The committee discussed the Law and was unanimous that short-pitched bowling is a core part of the game, particularly at the elite level. There was also discussion on other aspects of the game at all levels which may mitigate the risk of injury.”
MCC members also discussed the Decision Review System, especially the “confusing” umpire’s call.
Describing the same, the committee said, “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. 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.”
The MCC further added, “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.”
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The Committee also feels the same DRS technology should be used across the board.
They also proposed, “The committee felt that ICC should provide the same technology for all international cricket, rather than relying on the host broadcasters’ own agreements. The committee felt that the soft-signal system worked well for catches within the 30-yard fielding circle, but that catches near the boundary often left the umpires unsighted.”
