MCC Committee proposes shot clock, standard ball and free hits in Test matches

MCC Committee proposes shot clock, standard ball and free hits in Test matches

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The MCC World Cricket Committee has proposed the introduction of a shot clock to prevent time wasting, standard ball for the World Test Championship and free hit for a no-ball in Test matches. The committee, chaired by Mike Gatting, met in Bengaluru last week to discuss the proposals.

The World Cricket Committee of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which is led by former English skipper Mike Gatting, met in Bengaluru to discuss a few changes in Test matches all around the globe. The committee, which also includes former India captain and CAB president Sourav Ganguly, has taken the steps like the introduction of a shot clock, free hits for no balls and standard ball for the first edition of the World Test Championship to make the longest format more exciting.

"When asked what the main barriers were for attending Test Cricket, 25% of fans from England, Australia, New Zealand & South Africa mentioned slow over rates. In those countries, where spinners bowl fewer overs, the full 90 overs are sometimes not bowled in a day, even with the extra 30 minutes," said the MCC, reported PTI.

"Whilst the Decision Review System (DRS) was partly responsible for the delays, the committee felt that a series of measures should be introduced to help to speed up the game."

The Committee's specific recommendations include:

“A timer, to be shown on the scoreboard, to count down from 45 seconds from the call of "Over". (This would be increased to 60 seconds for a new batsman on strike and 80 seconds for a change of bowler).”

“If either side is not ready to play when the clock reaches zero, they would receive a warning, with further infringements in that innings resulting in five Penalty runs being awarded to the opposition.”

“A similar timer to be used at the fall of wickets, potentially with variable times, depending on the distance from the dressing rooms to the pitch, and at drinks breaks. Batsmen and fielders should be in position before the clock reaches zero.”

“During DRS reviews, the standard protocol should be cut short as soon as the TV production team is aware that it will be Not out. For example, time is often spent trying to discern an inside edge for LBWs, only to see, for example, that the ball was missing the stumps.”

“As soon as the ball tracking has been loaded, if it will result in a Not out decision, the TV umpire should be informed immediately.”

In another major proposal, the committee recommended the use of a standard ball in the inaugural season of the World Test Championship which will begin after the World Cup in May-July. Currently, SG ball is used in India, Dukes ball in England and West Indies while Kookaburra balls in Australia, South Africa and other parts of the world. 

"The system is used in the white-ball formats and the added deterrent results in there being fewer No balls than in Tests. For example, England recently had a spell of 45 ODIs without bowling a No ball, yet they bowled eleven in the three Test series against the West Indies," the MCC statement added.

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