ICC approves bowler-friendly DRS-LBW rules

"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)," read an official statement released by the ICC, reported Espncricinfo.

Recently, the DRS system came under a lot of criticism from former Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara. His reaction came after England batsman Jonny Bairstow questionably survived a close call in the 3rd Test between England and Sri Lanka. The DRS (Decision Review System) upheld the umpire's original decision to give him not out after an LBW appeal, despite the ball tracking system showing that the ball would have gone on to hit the stumps. The center of the ball was millimeters outside the line, which ran down the middle of Bairstow's leg stump, and the batsman was given the benefit of the doubt.

However, under the new rule, Bairstow would have been given out as the ball's hitting zone has been extended to the edges of the stumps, rather than the center of the off and leg stumps.

Also read: The Noob's guide to LBW and the DRS

The ICC also agreed to push for the inclusion of women's cricket event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Durban.

"The ICC will now work closely with the Commonwealth Games Federation in order to ensure cricket's inclusion on the program and to determine the specific tournament structure and qualification process that will be applied," the official release said.

The governing body will now review the Constitutional changes made in 2014, while a draft for the new Constitution is being prepared for the ICC board meetings, which will be held in October.

"We have undertaken the responsibility of reviewing the 2014 resolutions and constitutional changes in their entirety as we are committed to following best practice principles of good governance to build, improve and enhance the image and reputation of the ICC by putting in place systems and processes which are fair, transparent and merit-based. I am pleased with the work that has been done to date and during this set of meetings and we are looking forward to presenting the amended constitution to the Board for its consideration at the next meeting,” ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said, reported Espncricinfo.