The International Cricket Council has approved the changes to the lbw umpire’s call in the existing Decision Review System (DRS) in the annual meeting at Edinburgh, Scotland.
In the earlier rule, the on-field lbw decision of not-out could only be overturned to out if fifty percent of the ball hits off stump or leg stump. However, this has brought a lot of criticism from the current players as well as former legends as it often turned out to be an advantage to the batsmen.
An ICC release said: “During its meetings, the ICC approved a change to the DRS playing condition relating to the LBW “Umpire’s Call”. The size of the zone inside which half the ball needs to hit for a Not Out decision to be reversed to Out will increase, changing to a zone bordered by the outside of off and leg stumps, and the bottom of the bails (formerly the centre of off and leg stumps, and the bottom of the bails).”
The new rule will come into effect from October 1 or for any series that would use DRS system.
A new proposal was also made regarding the no-ball calls by third umpire which could help for better decision making. ICC are looking to run few trials in an ODI series in the coming days.
“There was discussion about the calling of No balls, and the ICC will arrange a trial over coming months to better understand whether the third umpire could use instant replays to call No balls more accurately,” the release stated. “The trial is likely to be staged during one of the upcoming ODI series, and the third umpire will judge No balls within a few seconds of the ball being delivered and communicate this to the on-field umpire. Further details relating to the trial will be announced once finalised.”
The ICC has also extended its support for the inclusion of Women cricket in 2022 Common Wealth games. Speaking about the decision, ICC Chairman Manohar said: “The Board has taken a strategic decision to support the inclusion of women’s cricket in the 2022 Commonwealth Games as it will enhance the profile of the sport and create additional exposure and experiences for female cricketers, as well as opportunities to engage with the Commonwealth Games on important social justice issues and initiatives.”
“The ICC will now work closely with the Commonwealth Games Federation in order to ensure cricket’s inclusion on the program and to determine the specific tournament structure and qualification process that will be applied.”
As part of structural and constitutional changes from 2014 conference, ICC are also looking to restructure the organisation and a new constitution would be prepared in the upcoming weeks which will be considered by the ICC Board during its October meetings.
“We have undertaken the responsibility of reviewing the 2014 resolutions and constitutional changes in their entirety as we are committed to following best practice principles of good governance to build, improve and enhance the image and reputation of the ICC by putting in place systems and processes which are fair, transparent and merit-based,” ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said.
“I am pleased with the work that has been done to date and during this set of meetings and we are looking forward to presenting the amended constitution to the Board for its consideration at the next meeting.”