ICC recommends changes to spice up the ODIs, bowlers allowed two bouncers

To make one day cricket bowler friendly, ICC has allowed two bouncers and has recommended curbing of powerplay. A year after it made sweeping changes to One-day International cricket, an ICC panel has recommended further changes to spice up ODIs, giving bowlers some leeway by allowing two bouncers an over instead of one and doing away with the bowling Powerplay rule but restoring the balance by allowing only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle in the non-Powerplay period, says a report in The Times Of India.

The ICC said on Friday the changes were intended to make the middle overs “more attacking” and perhaps give the pace bowlers a bit more play.

Also scrapped was last year’s ruling on taking the batting and bowling Powerplays between the 16th and 40th overs. The committee concluded that the move had had “little impact” in spicing up ODIs. The decision to use two new balls from each end, however, will be continued.

Meanwhile the other related recommendation is to allow a maximum of four players on the boundary during the non-powerplay overs, as opposed to the current stipulation of five players, says a report in Hindustan Times. This, if implemented, will give batsmen more opportunities to find boundaries.

In a balancing act, though, the proposal to allow two shortpitched deliveries in an over will give bowlers something to smile at, adds HT. “The committee was mindful of the need to avoid continual changes but was determined to complete the process initiated last year to enhance the format. These recommendations for ODI cricket will help create an even more attractive spectacle as we approach the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015,” said David Richardson, ICC general manager.