Ten teams to play in World Cup 2019
ICC amends ODI and T20 rules
AFP
AFP, BRIDGETOWN (Barbados): Rule changes affecting 50-over one-day and Twenty20 international matches will take effect in July, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Friday.
The aim of the altered regulations, which take effect in all series starting on or after July 5 is to restore the balance between bat and ball after this years World Cup in Australia and New Zealand witnessed the largest number of 300 and even 400 plus total seen at the ICCs showpiece tournament.
From July 5, five fielders will be allowed outside the 30-yard circle between the 41st and 50th overs, rather than the current four.
Meanwhile there will be no compulsory catchers from the first to the 10th over in ODIs and no batting powerplays will be allowed between the 15th and 40th overs.
In both ODI and T20 internationals, all no-balls, not just foot faults, will lead to a free hit.
David Richardson, the ICC chief executive, speaking about the changes, in a statement issued Friday from the global governing bodys annual conference in Barbados, said: We have thoroughly reviewed the ODI format after a very successful ICC Cricket World Cup.
There was no need to make any radical changes to what has proved to be a vibrant and popular format but we wanted to take this opportunity to make the format simpler and easier to follow for the public as well as maintaining a balance between bat and ball.
The former South Africa wicket-keeper added: In making these adjustments, we have tried to ensure that ODI cricket retains the attacking, aggressive and thrilling brand, which has recently become the hallmark of 50-over cricket and sets us on a positive path to the next World Cup in England in 2019.
Another report of Gazette Tribune adds: The Cricket World Cup (CWC) scheduled for the year 2019 would be hosted by England and would be played by a total of ten teams only.
After the world cup tournaments which were held in New Zealand and Australia this year, the International Cricket Council (ICC) was convinced to finally accelerate and end the debate for reducing the number of teams running for the title. The discussions had begun in early 2011, but no conclusion was reached until now.
Remarkable performance by the Irish team in the world cup this year was sufficient to convince Dave Richardson, the chief executive of ICC to reconsider his plans for the 2019 tournament. While it was announced in Barbados that some changes would be made, the nature of the alterations have not yet been disclosed.
According to numerous unverified news sources, the amends would be aimed at making the qualifying stage harder for non-test teams like Ireland, which have surpassed expectations, in matches against West Indies and Zimbabwe, both of which are test-sides.
Richardson, while discussing the preliminary plan in the World Cup final, stated:
As it stands weve entered into an agreement with broadcasters for a 10-team World Cup. I want it to be a shop window for the best teams in one-day cricket whether that be eight teams, 10 teams or 12 teams.
