BCCI accepts DRS,ICC drops tracking

Selective use of technology part of the new order as parent and Indian boards reach a compromise.

A key International Cricket Council (ICC) committee on Monday recommended the use of technology in all Test matches and one-day internationals even as India softened its long-standing opposition to the Decision Review System.

In its current form the DRS,which has long been criticised by Indian officials who claim the ball-tracking system is not foolproof,is only deployed when cricket boards of both teams agree to its use.

The unanimous decision taken by the ICCs chief executives committee,which includes the heads of the 10 Test-playing nations and three ICC Associate member countries,backed the use of infrared cameras and audio-tracking device technology in all Tests and ODIs subject to availability and commercial considerations. However,it also agreed that further independent and expert research will be carried out into ball-tracking technology and its accuracy and reliability.

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Unlike the automatic use of the other two technologies,the ball tracking system criticised by India will continue to be used only when there is a bilateral agreement between teams. The position (of BCCI) has not changed, the BCCI said. The BCCI has always expressed its willingness to embrace technology,for the betterment of the game.

The committee also recommended that elective Powerplays should only be taken between the 16th and 40th overs in all ODIs from October1 and reduce the number of unsuccessful reviews in ODIs from two to one. All the recommendations will be put to the ICC executive board,which meets here on Tuesday and Wednesday.

World Cup a success

While acknowledging the success of World Cup in India,Sri Lanka and Bangladesh earlier this year,ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat said: The CEC rightly supported the enhancements recommended by the ICC Cricket Committee to strengthen the format further,including encouraging members to trial some specific innovations in their domestic cricket.

These innovations include a review of the maximum number of overs a bowler can bowl; an increase from one to two for the number of short balls permitted per over; no compulsory requirement for close catchers; and a maximum of four fielders outside the 30-yard circle during non-powerplay overs.

Captains under scanner

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In another development,the CEC also agreed to abolish runners in international cricket. There will be stricter sanctions too against captains for bowling slow over-rates.

A captain will now be suspended for two over-rate breaches in a 12-month period rather than the current position which is three breaches prior to suspension, the ICC said.

Other recommendations from the committee include the continued research into the use of different colour balls to facilitate day/night Test matches and a directive that batsmen can be given out for obstructing the field if they change direction when running between the wicket to block a run-out chance.

Renewed Cup hope for associate nations

Associate nations such as Ireland and The Netherlands may not be dumped out of 2015 World Cup with the ICC Chief Executives Committee (CEC) recommending that there should be a qualifying tournament for participation in the elite event. The ICC in April had decided to restrict the next Cup to top 10 nations only,much to the dismay of the associate nations who strongly protested the decision. The decision raised hopes of teams like The Netherlands,Ireland,Canada and Kenya to feature in the 2015 edition. The CEC recommended that there should be a qualification process for the World Cup 2015 but did not make a recommendation to the ICC Executive Board on the number of teams that should compete in the event, ICC said in a statement. ICC president Sharad Pawar has taken up the cause of the minnows by asking its board to reconsider the decision.