By IANS
Dubai : The cricket committee (CC) of the International Cricket Council (ICC) has recommended a mandatory change of ball after 35 overs in one-day internationals and a free hit to the batsman if the bowler bowls a front-foot no-ball.
These are among a host of recommendations made to the ICC chief executive's committee and the ICC board at the Sunil Gavaskar-headed cricket committee's meeting here Thursday.
The white ball used in ODIs often gets dirtier especially in day-night games and the committee has therefore suggested that the ball be changed after 35 overs, the ICC said in a statement.
In the past, two new white balls were used in an innings, one from each bowling end, with the idea to keep it in good shape and shine.
The panel also felt that the batsman get a free hit after a bowler crosses the front-foot no-ball rule. At present there is no such provision.
It suggested that at venues where space allows it, boundaries should be pushed back to a maximum of 90 yards, square boundaries should be a minimum of 150 yards in diameter with a minimum of 65 yards radius on one side, straight boundaries should have a 140-yards diameter.
The committee also put a stop to all kinds of glue/adhesives being used in pitch preparation for international matches.
On referrals to the television umpire, the committee recommended the maintenance of the current regulations, which allows umpires to consult with TV officials on clean catches only if both on-field umpires are unsighted.
The committee also decided against recommending a trial of the use of player appeals to the television umpire at this year's World Twenty20 Championship in South Africa.
Instead, it suggested that the system be tried in as many countries as possible so that further evidence on its effectiveness or otherwise can be obtained. The trial is currently on in one domestic competition in Britain.
On the issue of international umpiring, the panel suggested the setting up of a task force with an independent chairman to look at how best to take international umpiring to the next level.
"The task force's remit would include deciding how best to structure the ICC International and Elite Panels; looking at how support structures for umpires can be financed and put in place; umpires' remuneration; and whether or not it is appropriate for umpires to be able to stand in Tests and ICC events where their home country/member is involved," said the statement.