ICC okays rule change in LBW calls, defers test shake up

Edinburgh: The ICC has approved change in rules in the LBW decisions of the umpires concerning the controversial Decision Review System, which is expected to benefit the bowlers, while deferring plans for a radical shake-up of international cricket, including on the proposed creation of two divisions in Test and a new one-day league.

The global governing body’s annual meeting concluded here last night with the ICC, IDI and IBC Board deliberating over several issues under the chairmanship of former BCCI chief Shashank Manohar. Few major decisions were also taken.

The ICC said progress has been made on the issue of the governance restructuring in the world body while a push has been made for women’s cricket to be included in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Durban.

Further discussions on the plan of International Olympic Committee over cricket becoming an Olympic sport. Regarding the DRS playing conditions relating to the LBW ‘umpire’s call’, the ICC said if the on-field lbw decisions are to be overturned, half of the ball would now need to hit a zone of the stumps that also borders the outside of off and leg stumps.

Earlier, half of the ball would need to hit a zone between the centre of off and leg stumps.

The size of the zone inside which half the ball needs to hit for a Not Out decision to be reversed to Out will increase, changing to a zone bordered by the outside of off and leg stumps, and the bottom of the bails (formerly the centre of off and leg stumps, and the bottom of the bails), the ICC said in a statement.

This amendment will come into effect from October 1 or from the start of any series using DRS that commences just prior to this date, the world body said.

The change will benefit bowlers and more batsmen will be given out once on-field decisions are referred as the zone the ball needs to hit for the decision to be overturned has increased.