MCC World Cricket committee: statements

Date released: 21 May 2007

The MCC World Cricket committee, which met for the third time on Monday 14th May, has released the following statements as a result of its discussions:

On the monitoring of Fair Deliveries

The MCC World Cricket committee advocates the introduction of a policy of regular monitoring of bowling actions under match conditions, using a combination of camera footage and personal observation. The committee also supports the continuation of development and research into technology which will enable actions to be monitored in real time during a match yet will not be at the expense of spectators and/or player comfort (e.g. wearing monitors).
Currently, bowlers who have correctly had their action called into question have demonstrated under laboratory conditions that they deliver the ball fairly. The MCC World Cricket committee believes that a bowler’s action may differ once he returns to a match situation, particularly in moments of high pressure, extreme fatigue or when attempting to bowl a variation on the stock delivery. A continual monitoring process would encourage bowlers to continue to pay attention to their action away from the laboratory, and ensure that they maintain a legal style of delivery at all times. The committee believes that players with suspect actions should be monitored at least every six months, as well as at all ICC tournaments.
MCC supports ICC’s policy of investigating suspect actions from as young as U-19 level, but suggests that remedial work could begin even earlier to ensure that the problem is addressed and rectified before players reach the top level of the game. Coaches should also be monitored to ensure that their methods adhere to the Laws of the game

On the international playing programme and the problem of player burnout

The MCC World Cricket committee believes that the current international playing programme, which sees some sides playing over 90 days of top level cricket per annum, is too congested with, in particular, too many one-day international matches. While lucrative for national boards, one-day cricket can be of a higher intensity and involves more travel than Tests. The elongated series often result in tired players more susceptible to injury.
Furthermore, with the current level of international commitments, players are less likely to be able to appear for their domestic sides, so weakening the standard of competition at first-class level and reducing the attraction of cricket for native audiences, particularly the younger generation.
The MCC World Cricket committee therefore recommends a review of the international playing calendar, with the aim of striking a balance between financial gain, player welfare and audience satisfaction. The committee supported the idea of a standard format for international tours – a Twenty20 competition, three one-day internationals and a Test series of between three and five matches. The Twenty20 competition is ideally the curtain raiser for the tour.

On the format of the ICC Cricket World Cup

The MCC World Cricket committee recommends that the Cricket World Cup should last no longer than one month. The committee recommends that the format of the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, which finished in the Caribbean last month after almost seven weeks, should be urgently reviewed with the intention of reducing the length of the next tournament, due to take place in India in 2011. Furthermore, the number of participating nations should be reduced and the competition restructured to ensure fewer one-sided matches. The committee also believes that every effort should be made to ensure that the World Cup Final be played over 50 overs, even if this means going into a second or third day.

On the shortening of boundaries in international cricket

The MCC World Cricket committee recommends that the whole of the available ground is used for international cricket, except for a small gap of up to 2 metres between the boundary rope and the perimeter fence to avoid injuries to players. The committee noted that the length of boundaries in international competitions is being steadily reduced, resulting in a higher number of fours and sixes, often from mis-hits. Short boundaries, coupled with the advancing technology being introduced in cricket equipment, particularly bats, weigh the odds in favour of the batsmen to the detriment of bowlers (spinners in particular).

On the use of glued pitches or SSAs

The MCC World Cricket committee believes that the practice of gluing pitches should be discontinued. Gluing is yet another innovation which tips the balance of the game in favour of the batsman. It is also a shortcut for groundsmen and could allow for mediocrity in their craft. The committee also voiced concerns over the long term effects of glue on the pitches, which are currently unknown. MCC is testing its own glued pitches on the Nursery Ground at Lord’s. Until further research has been completed, the committee believes that groundsmen should discontinue the use of glue on pitches.

The MCC World Cricket committee comprises:
Tony Lewis (chairman)
Geoffrey Boycott
Mike Brearley
Martin Crowe
Tony Dodemaide
Rahul Dravid
Andy Flower
Mike Gatting
Majid Khan
Barry Richards
David Shepherd
Alec Stewart
Courtney Walsh
Steve Waugh