In a bid to add a "tactical dimension" to one-day international cricket and make the format more exciting, the International Cricket Council has approved the recommendations of its committee and given the nod to the introduction of innovations regarding substitutions and field restrictions.
The new regulations will be tried out for 10 monthsfrom as early as July 30 and reviewed by the committee -- which made the initialrecommendations -- at its 2006 meeting, the ICC chief executive committeedecided in its meeting in London yesterday.
The innovations may also be tried during the NatWestChallenge between England and Australia starting on July 7, subject toconvenience of the cricket boards of the two countries, an ICC statement said.
Under the new rules, the soccer-style substitution willbe permitted which will allow sides to replace a player at any stage of a match.
The replaced player will be ruled out of the rest ofthe match while the substitute will start afresh assuming any remaining battingor bowling duties.
There will also be an increase in the over restrictionsfrom 15 to 20.
Unlike the present system, the new set-up means theywill apply for the first 10 overs of every innings plus two additional blocks offive overs which must be selected by the fielding captain.
The panel decided that the additional 'close-catcher'field restriction, where two players must be within the 15-yard 'inner circle',should only apply for the first 10 overs.
The changes were recommended by the ICC cricket committeeheaded by Sunil Gavaskar and comprising former international cricketers.
The committee, holding a four-day meeting which would conclude on Tuesday, alsoendorsed the proposal to undertake a technology trial during the Johnnie WalkerSuper Series in Australia in October. "This will allow on-field umpires toconsult with the TV umpire on any aspect of any decision with the final decisionremaining with the on-field umpire," the ICC statement said.
The only exceptions to this will be line decisions,which will be dealt with by the TV umpire in the same manner as at present, andclean catches, where the existing process will also be retained.
The current practice for clean catches is that they areonly referred when both umpires are unsighted as this is one area where TVreplays have proved inconclusive.
On the issue of cricket bats, the CEC said theKookaburra bat used by several international players should be allowed pending afinal decision from the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), on their legality inrelation to current regulations.
It, however, said an expert panel would be constitutedto work with the MCC and bat manufacturers to review laws and regulationsgoverning the manufacturing of bats.
PTI
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