By IANS,
Dubai : The impact of Twenty20 cricket and how to protect and promote Test cricket are among the key issues being discussed at the two-day International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting that started here Monday. Greater use of technology for umpires is also on the agenda.
The Sunil Gavaskar-headed ICC Cricket Committee will also discuss the research done on the volume of cricket and the effect of bad light in matches at the world body’s headquarters here.
“The trial of an umpires’ decision review system, the formulation of playing conditions for the Champions Trophy 2008 and World Twenty20 2009 and the results of ICC-commissioned research into such issues as volume of cricket will also be on the radar for this important meeting,” ICC said in a statement.
The committee has highly respected figures, including David Richardson, the ICC General Manager (cricket), former Australia captain Mark Taylor, ex-Pakistan captain Majid Khan and former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding.
It also features Umpire of the Year Simon Taufel, chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle, Kenya captain Steve Tikolo, South Africa coach Mickey Arthur and Tim May, former Australia off-spinner and now the CEO of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations.
The committee is representative of all stakeholders in the modern game, including players, umpires and the media.
The agenda:
Cricket landscape – impact of Twenty20 format and domestic leagues: Following the changing cricket landscape after the explosion of Twenty20 cricket, the committee will discuss international cricket as the pinnacle of the game, the protection and promotion of Test cricket, the impact of Twenty20 cricket on other formats of the game and the impact of domestic leagues on the international game.
Television technology in umpire decision-making – trial: The committee will finalise the playing conditions to be adopted for the proposed trial of an umpire decision review system. Broadly speaking, in the trial, players will be permitted to request the on-field umpire to review his own decision in consultation with the television umpire.
Playing conditions: The committee will consider the specific playing conditions for the ICC Champions Trophy 2008 and ICC World Twenty20 2009. As part of that discussion, it will consider the idea of allowing the batting team to choose when to take one of the three Powerplays.
Research results: The committee will consider progress that has been made in research relating to volume of cricket and bad light.
The remit of the Cricket Committee is to discuss and consult on any cricket-playing matters and to formulate recommendations to the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee and the ICC Board for approval.
The next meetings of those committees are set for June 29 to July 4 in Dubai.