Cricket Committee recommendation: Umpire’s call won’t cost review

If an LBW decision is decided on the 'umpire's call', then it will not cost teams a review. That was one of the recommendations that the International Cricket Council (ICC) cricket committee made at its annual meeting, held in London on May 23 and 24.

However, they also recommended that if this rule is applied, the 80-over top-up of reviews in Test matches -- when a team's reviews are replenished -- should be removed.

Furthermore, the cricket committee unanimously supported the implementation of a Test cricket competition, saying that context was crucial for the future of international cricket.

The committee, chaired by India coach Anil Kumble, also recommended that DRS be used in all T20Is.

“The issue of concussion substitutes was revisited by the Committee again and it will recommend to the Chief Executives’ Committee that the classification of official cricket be amended to allow Members to run a two-year trial into the use of concussion substitutes,” the ICC press release issued yesterday informed. 

The 'red card' rule, which will allow umpires to send off players for serious incidents, such as violence, was also recommended to be adopted.

The committee also suggested that all no-ball decisions in international cricket should be verified with the use of instant replays.

Among other issues, the new run-out rule -- that once a batsman crosses the line, he will be deemed safe -- and bat dimensions were discussed, while the committee also voiced full support for cricket in the Olympic Games.

If the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee approves these recommended changes, the new ICC playing conditions will come into effect from 1 October.