ICC committee in bid to protect all formats of game
Panel's two-day meeting in London could make vital decisions
Dubai The International Cricket Council (ICC) Cricket Committee will hold strategic discussions and take vital decisions to protect the appeal of Twenty20 as well as to ensure the viability of all three formats of the game during the two-day meeting which commences today at the Lord's Cricket Ground in London.
The Cricket Committee headed by Clive Lloyd has Mark Taylor, Gary Kirsten, Trent Johnson, Ian Bishop, Ravi Shastri, Kumar Sangakkara, Steve Davis, Ranjan Madugalle and Clare Connor as its members.
Speaking to Gulf News, Shastri who had a stopover in Dubai on his way to London, said:
"I strongly believe that Twenty20 will be the format that will protect Test match cricket. Every format will live together. Today cricket is going in a direction where anyone can easily take it up as a career. When I started my career if you were not among the top players you are gone but today it gives opportunities for hundreds of players."
The committee will consider the role of Twenty20 cricket in the growth of the game in the developing cricket world. It will also discuss the volume of Twenty20 cricket in relation to the volume of the other formats to be played at bi-lateral Full Member level and also on the Global Twenty20 events.
League impact
The proliferation of domestic leagues (involving foreign players and in some cases, private ownership) and the consequent impact on international cricket will also come in for discussion.
The committee will also hold discussions on the format of the One-day matches. Plans are on to increase the maximum number of overs each bowler could deliver, the number of compulsory close catchers and on whether a maximum of four fielders outside the 30 yard circle during non-Powerplay overs is required and on increasing the number of short pitched deliveries (above shoulder height) that can be delivered per over from one to two.
With switch hits and reverse sweep becoming common, the Committee will consider the matter from the perspective of retaining a fair balance between bat and ball.
