Steve Smith has suggested a potential rule change in cricket, advocating for limitations on leg-side bouncers bowled by fast bowlers. The former Australian captain proposed a system where bowlers would receive a warning after delivering one or two leg-side bouncers, and subsequent deliveries in the same region would be deemed wides.
Smith highlighted the difficulty batters face when bowlers continuously target the leg side with a stacked field, making it challenging to hit the ball in front of the stumps. Drawing parallels with left-arm spinners bowling over the wicket, he suggested a similar warning system for fast bowlers to prevent excessive deliveries down the leg side.
“If you’re bowling balls consistently in that area down leg, it should be a similar ruling to the spinner if that makes sense. Basically bowl one or two, then get a warning and then get wides called,” remarked steve Smith.
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Expressing the need for balance, Smith acknowledged the challenge of scoring when bowlers consistently target the leg side, limiting the batsman’s options. He proposed this potential rule change to address the imbalance and enhance the batsman’s ability to score freely.
Steve Smith has said that the cricketing authorities should address the issue of pacers persistently bowling bouncers to a leg-side field.
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During the first Test between New Zealand and Australia in Wellington, Smith scored 31 runs before being dismissed on Day 1. Reflecting on the match, he praised the accuracy of recently retired left-arm pacer Neil Wagner, known for his effective use of short-pitched deliveries.
“Ultimately it is a good skill what Neil’s been able to do, the way he can get the ball between throat and chest height consistently, not bowl his two (bouncers) for the over and just carry on doing it. It’s a good skill and it can be challenging, particularly for guys that are pullers of the ball,” acknowledged Steve Smith.
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As discussions around potential rule changes continue, Smith’s suggestion aims to strike a balance between the contest of bat and ball, offering batsmen more opportunities to score against leg-side bouncers.
