ICC calls for clampdown on bat size
AFP
AFP, LONDON: Indias Anil Kumble and several other former Test players on an International Cricket Council committee have urged the sports law-makers to bring in new restrictions on the size of bats amid concerns over a glut of run-scoring.
Following a two-day meeting at Lords, the headquarters of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the ICC cricket committee chaired by Kumble issued a statement saying it wanted MCC to instigate a clampdown. The MCC still has overall global responsibility for crickets Laws or rules.
While there are limitations on bat length (when the lower portion of the handle is inserted it shall not be more than 38in/96.5cm) and width (4.25in/10.8cm at its widest part), none currently exist on depth and weight.
The balance between bat and ball appears to have become especially loaded against bowlers in limited overs games.
However, whether it is modern bats, the innovations brought in by Twenty20 cricket, increasingly short boundaries or a combination of factors that have led to an orgy of run-scoring is open to debate.
Last years 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand witnessed 38 hundreds, nearly one every game, and 463 sixes, an average of one every nine overs.
West Indies Chris Gayle struck 16 sixes in racing to the fastest one-day international double hundred during a World Cup match against Zimbabwe at Canberras Manuka Oval, while New Zealands Martin Guptill hit a six measured at 110 metres in the course of his 237 against the West Indies at Wellington.
Thursdays statement from the ICC cricket committee, whose members include several former Test batsmen in Englands Andrew Strauss, Indias Rahul Dravid, Sri Lankas Mahela Jayawardene, and current Australia coach Darren Lehmann said: MCC sought the committees guidance on the desirability of making changes in order to redress the balance between bat and ball.
The committee received a research paper from MCC citing a wealth of scientific and statistical evidence showing bats have become more powerful in recent years, primarily due to having larger sweet-spots.
It added: The committees view was that MCC should strongly consider limiting the dimensions of cricket bats to help achieve a better balance between bat and ball.
