Bouncers under fire

Press, 4 August 1976, Page 27

Bouncers under fire

Over-use of the bouncer, slow over rates, and the future ol the World Cup 1 i m I t e d-over tournament were the principal points of discussion at the meeting of the International Cricket Conference at Lord’s, said the chairman of the New Zealand Board of Control (Mr W. A. Hadlee) who returned to Christchurch from the conference last week.

The most important decision, said Mr Hadlee, had been on the bouncer. It had been rloug and involved discussion, at the end of which the conference had passed a unanimous vote of these lines:

"The conference expresses concern at the increase in dangerous and intimidating bowling, and unanimously condemns it as unfair. The conference also regards as unfair the use of the fast high full pitch directed at the batsman. The conference requires that umpires in all countries strictly implement the provisons of Law 46, note 4 (vi) and will support any action taken under this law. The conference has advised al' members to include in their playing conditions the following: "(a) That umpires be asked to apply a firm, fair and consistent interpretation of law 46, dealing with fair and unfair play. “(b) Captains must instruct players that fast short-pitched balls should at no time be directed at nonrecognised batsmen. “(c) As a guide to umpires a short-pitched ball is one wh : ch pitches short and passes, or would have passed, above shoulder height of the batsman, standing normally at the crease."

Mr Hadlee said the resolution was a message to umpires to du what they should have been doing in the past.

“They probably haven’t felt they had enough backing to warn bowlers, or have them removed for the rest of the innings,” said Mr Hadlee.

“There is nothing to stop the bowler from bouncing the bah ” said Mr Hadlee.

“This if about the persistent and systematic use of the bouncer. Member countries have been asked to give thought to an adequate notice of a change of wording of the existing law, and its notes, to make it more effective.” Mr Hadlee said the conference also passed a resolution deploring the rapidly declining over rates in test cricket, it had been resolved that every effort should be made to achieve 171 six-ball overs or 13 eight-ball overs an hour.

“The imposition of fines was considered, but as a first step, the co-operation of captains was sought,” he said. “The experimental laws on time-wasting should be incorporated into the laws of the game, and all countries have been asked to consider ways and means of re-introducing more slow bowling into the game.”

As to the New Zealand Board of Control, Mr Hadlee said it would no doubt be asked to give thought to methods of increasing over rates, of preventing timewasting, and generally increasing the tempo of the game.

Mr Hadlee said it seemed likely that the next World Cup tournament would be held In England in 1979.