Dubai: Players being sent off for misconduct is all set to become a reality in cricket with the ICC’s revamped playing rules, which will be effective in all series starting September 28 or later. However, the ongoing India-Australia series will be played under the old rules, according to release by the ICC here, Tuesday.
The significant changes also include a restriction on the dimensions of the bat, and changes to the decision review system (DRS).
All of these rules will come into effect from the two upcoming Test series – when South Africa host Bangladesh and Pakistan take on Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates.
“Most of the changes to the ICC playing conditions are being made as a result of changes to the ‘Laws of Cricket’ that have been announced by the MCC. We have just completed a workshop with the umpires to ensure they understand all of the changes and we are now ready to introduce the new playing conditions to international matches,” ICC general manager (Cricket) Geoff Allardice said.
“The restriction on the length and width of bats remain unchanged but the thickness of the edges can’t be more than 40mm and the overall depth can be 67 mm at the most. Umpires will be issued with a new bat gauge, which they can use to check a bat’s legality,” the ICC stated.
In a new playing condition pertaining to players’ conduct, a player can now be sent off the field for the rest of the match for any serious misconduct.
“…meaning it will apply to Level 4 offences while the Level 1 to 3 offences will continue to be dealt with under the ICC Code of Conduct,” the statement said.
“Threatening to assault an umpire, making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire, physically assaulting a player or any other person and committing any other act of violence all constitute Level 4 offences,” it added.
Also, in the new the DRS rules a review will now not be lost in case of a decision that remains unchanged, solely as the result of an ‘umpire’s call’. “The DRS will now be allowed to be used in T20 games also,” the statement further said.
Press Trust of India
