New International One Day Regulations

July 2, 2007 · Filed Under Cricket Talk

Apologies for the delay between posts, but its been a busy time. Not playing cricket though, as the past two weeks have seen my games called off and things look rubbish this week as well. And this is supposed to be summer!

Since the last post, the ICC have been tinkering with the One Day game even more, although the new regulations didn’t make many headlines. They are as follows:

ICC management instructed to draw up an international programme which limits the number of Tests, one-dayers and Twenty20 games sides may play in any one series; no team to play more than seven Twenty20 internationals per year

One extra fielder to be allowed outside the circle in the second or third powerplay of limited overs internationals.

Ball to be mandatorily changed after 35 overs of each innings in limited overs internationals

If a player bowls a front-foot no-ball in a one-dayer, the next one will be deemed a free hit

Minimum boundary sizes for one-dayers to be increased to at least 150 yards square of the wicket and 70 yards straight, instead of 140 and 65.

They make a bit of sense, and they aren’t making big changes that we haven’t seen trialled in UK cricket such as the “free hit”. My problem is with the new ball after 35 overs rule. We often see farcical situations where the batting side try to get the ball changed at about this period at the moment, the reasoning being that a different ball will be harder and come off the bat better. But a brand new ball? So the spinners will be bowling with what could be a brand new ball, and after 35 overs the ball won’t be scuffed enough to create reverse swing for the quickies. So there’s a skill not worth the international players learning then..

I’m not sure how long this will last and I imagine the first game that takes place with these rules will create discussion around the point I’ve raised as I’ve not heard anyone mention it yet.

Oh, and despite my previous post loving twenty20, this year its rubbish thanks to the weather! We’ve had 5 over a side joke games and none of the late summer cricket watching with a beer in hand.. roll on summer…