Bluey
8 Nov 2002, 18:30
New Ashes rules
There's only been a couple of days played and it's started already. As a
result of the impending horrendous scorecard, the following new rules will
apply for the rest of the 2002/2003 Ashes cricket series:
1)England has been granted an automatic wickie, freeing up wicket keeper
Alex Stewart to defend the boundary. Under the rule, Australian batsmen will
be deemed out "caught behind" if the ball nicks their bat and lands in the
immediate area behind the wicket. The rule is a compromise from the original
English proposal which had pushed for automatic slips as well. The ICC
refused that request on the grounds that "someone has to go and get the ball
when an Australian misses it."
2) In addition, Australia is under strict "tip and run" restrictions which
require they take a run off every ball they hit. Steve Waugh was happy to
accept this, as it meant no change to his current game plan. As a
compromise, it was agreed that the Australians will also have to shout out
the word "wickets" when completing a run to make run out decisions by
umpires easier.
3) Following his outstanding performances, Australian wicketkeeper Adam
Gilchrist has "six and out" restrictions imposed on him; as well, following
complaints from English fielders, Gilchrist will have to get the ball if it
goes across the road.
4) Instead of using a bat, Matt Hayden will now be obliged to use his arm
with his jumper wrapped around it.
5) New rules for England include "one hand, one bounce" while they are
fielding, and the provision of "last man carries" when they are batting.
6) The English tried to extend the "can't get out first ball" provision to
"can't get out first ten overs", but the ICC proclaimed that the extra runs
gained would hardly be worth the effort. Australian captain Steve Waugh has
vigorously opposed the "last man carries" rule and has launched an appeal.
Waugh says Australia will only agree to the rule if there are electric
wickets at the end, allowing Aussie fielders to throw to the stumps at
either end.
7) A spokesperson for the ICC also announced that following six successive
ducks "from now on Craig White can't get out for a duck".
8) English pace bowler Andy Caddick will also be allowed to wrap the ball's
seam with electrical tape when he's bowling in the second innings.
9) The spokesperson added there will be "no LB" for English batsmen unless
"it is really, really obvious."
10) Shane Warne has conceded that its "fair enough" that he has to bowl
underarm (but not molly grubbers) to the English tail end.
11) If England decides that Steven Harmison is to be given an over, the
umpire will deem the batsman out if the ball lands anywhere on the pitch.
Captain Steve Waugh has no problems with this change, as the probability of
such a dismissal occurring is infinitesimally small.
Despite the changes, Australia remains firm favourites going into the Ashes
Series.
There's only been a couple of days played and it's started already. As a
result of the impending horrendous scorecard, the following new rules will
apply for the rest of the 2002/2003 Ashes cricket series:
1)England has been granted an automatic wickie, freeing up wicket keeper
Alex Stewart to defend the boundary. Under the rule, Australian batsmen will
be deemed out "caught behind" if the ball nicks their bat and lands in the
immediate area behind the wicket. The rule is a compromise from the original
English proposal which had pushed for automatic slips as well. The ICC
refused that request on the grounds that "someone has to go and get the ball
when an Australian misses it."
2) In addition, Australia is under strict "tip and run" restrictions which
require they take a run off every ball they hit. Steve Waugh was happy to
accept this, as it meant no change to his current game plan. As a
compromise, it was agreed that the Australians will also have to shout out
the word "wickets" when completing a run to make run out decisions by
umpires easier.
3) Following his outstanding performances, Australian wicketkeeper Adam
Gilchrist has "six and out" restrictions imposed on him; as well, following
complaints from English fielders, Gilchrist will have to get the ball if it
goes across the road.
4) Instead of using a bat, Matt Hayden will now be obliged to use his arm
with his jumper wrapped around it.
5) New rules for England include "one hand, one bounce" while they are
fielding, and the provision of "last man carries" when they are batting.
6) The English tried to extend the "can't get out first ball" provision to
"can't get out first ten overs", but the ICC proclaimed that the extra runs
gained would hardly be worth the effort. Australian captain Steve Waugh has
vigorously opposed the "last man carries" rule and has launched an appeal.
Waugh says Australia will only agree to the rule if there are electric
wickets at the end, allowing Aussie fielders to throw to the stumps at
either end.
7) A spokesperson for the ICC also announced that following six successive
ducks "from now on Craig White can't get out for a duck".
8) English pace bowler Andy Caddick will also be allowed to wrap the ball's
seam with electrical tape when he's bowling in the second innings.
9) The spokesperson added there will be "no LB" for English batsmen unless
"it is really, really obvious."
10) Shane Warne has conceded that its "fair enough" that he has to bowl
underarm (but not molly grubbers) to the English tail end.
11) If England decides that Steven Harmison is to be given an over, the
umpire will deem the batsman out if the ball lands anywhere on the pitch.
Captain Steve Waugh has no problems with this change, as the probability of
such a dismissal occurring is infinitesimally small.
Despite the changes, Australia remains firm favourites going into the Ashes
Series.