- Introduction of Field Restrictions:-
Just like the Ashes 1932-33, which is famously known as “Body Line series” forced few changes like the introduction of Law 41.5 for an example, which restricts the bowling team from positioning more than two fielders behind the batsman on the leg side, ODI cricket needed something “Cheeky” from the English captain Mike Brearley to introduce the spectacle called “Field Restrictions“.
It was in 1979, during an ODI match between England and West Indies. England had batted first, scored 211-8 in their 50 overs. Due to rain, West Indies were given a revised target of 199 to win in 47 overs. It came down to the wire, West Indies needed three runs to win off the last ball and what does Mike Brearley do? He pushed all of his TEN fielders towards the boundary line.
TEN, because he even put his wicket keeper at the boundary line. And this gave birth to the fielding restrictions which only made the game a lot more interesting. With time we have seen a lot of changes like batting powerplay, bowling powerplay etc.., and it keeps changing even now adding new dynamics to the game.