5 highlights from the ICC Cricket Committee Meeting

The ICC Cricket Committee, formed to make recommendations on cricket playing issues, met at Lords from June 2-3, 2016 to discuss some of these issues. The discussions included steps for improving the overall cricket structure across the globe with a special focus on marketing Test Cricket to improve its popularity.

The Committee also took recommendations from experts on various aspects such as technology and safety in cricket matches. The recommendations made by the Committee, which is chaired by Anil Kumble, will be discussed in the ICC board meeting later in July 2016. The recommendations, if implemented strictly and properly, can help in regaining the popularity of the game. Here are 5 of the major highlights from the meeting:

#1 Improving International Cricket Structure

The lack of interest in Test cricket was a major concern

This is a very prominent issue which was discussed by the Committee in length considering a plethora of factors. Improving the International Cricket structure has become the need of the hour. The audience of the game has been divided into different formats which puts pressure on the administrators to keep improving every format with equal consideration.

The Committee decided to create dedicated competitions in each of the game’s three formats with the focus to increase their popularity equally. After the success of the first ever day-night Test match, there were discussions on its future too.

The Committee maintained that factors including lighting and environment might play an important role in its success which needs reviewing constantly. And finally, the Committee discussed issues pertaining to Test Cricket which includes a modified approach in relating to its marketing and quality of Test pitches. It is often seen that home countries prepare pitches to suit their own teams.

#2 Discussion on technology

The use of DRS has greatly helped umpires

To ensure fairness in the game, the use of technology has gained popularity over the years. Hence, there is a need to constantly review its implementation processes and procedures. The committee discussed the overall impact of technology and sought recommendations on the future of technology in cricket, especially for umpiring.

Based on the presentation by MIT engineers, the committee discussed and reviewed some of the currently used technologies in international Cricket such as DRS and hot-spot. There were opinions on improving the functioning of DRS by having a proper procedure and then implementing these technologies in a better way from match to match.

#3 Ensuring balance between bat and ball

Virat Kohli had another incredible series with the bat in the IPL

This could easily be the most important discussion which would help in improving the quality of cricket in the coming years. Not an unfamiliar issue, the world is witnessing a batsman dominated era where tons of runs are being scored and bowlers have to perform a thankless and demoralising job.

The MCC conducted and presented a research where it noted that the bats have become more powerful over the years and so have their dimensions increased. This has been giving an unfavourable balance in the favour of the batsman which is killing the competitive nature of the game. The Committee recommended the MCC to limit the dimensions of the bat so that an equal contest between bat and ball could be witnessed.

#4 Helmet safety issues

Stuart Broad was injured when his helmet could not stop the ball

Safety in cricket has become an area which needs quick measures to be dealt with. With increased cases of injuries being reported to batsmen, a handful of measures have been taken by the cricket boards across the world to ensure safety of the players.

The Committee discussed the issue of Cricketers not being provided with British Safety Standard (BSS) compliant helmets. It recommended that ICC should regulate the safety procedure of the helmets and should enforce the wearing of the latest BSS compliant helmets in all international matches.

#5 Suspected illegal bowling action review

Sunil Narine (R) recently came back to cricket after reworking on his bowling action

With constant debates going around over suspected bowling action, this is one issue where the Committee was satisfied with the efforts of the countries. It felt that screening of such actions at the domestic level has helped to reduce them considerably at the international level.

There have been constant policing done by the ICC over suspected illegal bowling actions to have the game played fairly. Their efforts were praised by the Committee and a demand for more strict regulation at the domestic level was made.