Cricket Board bans ‘Lillee-like’ habit

Press, 19 December 1981, Page 64

Cricket Board bans ‘Lillee-like’ habit

NZPA-Reuter London The “Dennis Lillee regulation,” preventing a side bringing on a substitute for a player changing his equipment, has been approved by the Test and County Cricket Board. A spokesman for the board, Mr Peter Lush, said the habit of players changing their shirts and boots during a game had, “been creeping in for some time.” “It had become a very prevalent and undesirable practice and we fejt we had to act,” Mr Lush said. Substitutes will only be allowed now if the umpires

are satisfied that a player has been injured or taken ill during a match. The rule only applies for teams touring England. Speed bowler Dennis Lillee’s bout with viral pneumonia during the Test series against England this year is indirectly responsible for the law change. As he recovered from his illness, he frequently left the field to change his shirt while a substitute briefly took his place. The habit has since spread among England’s county players. The board is also considering taking action against

groundsmen who prepare pitches in favour of the home team. Mr Lush said abolition of the toss for innings with the choisce. of batting first given to the visiting captain is one 'sanction being considered. “Our wish is for true, hard, fast and dry pitches at the start. The growing practice to the contrary is totally unacceptable and counties ■ unanimously gave an undertaking to eliminate it in future,” he said. “Otherwise very severe financial penalties will be considered and thought is being given to allowing the

visiting captain the choice of innings.” English spin bowlers who felt aggrieved about the increasing dominance of seam bowling last season should have some good news from yesterday's meeting. After many years of the new ball becoming available at 100 overs, the fast men were given a new ball after just 85 overs last season. The board has suggested that this was a mistake because of the fundamental wish to encourage spin, and have proposed that the 100over rule be restored, giving spinners potentially an extra

15 overs at the crease. Of more marginal help to slower bowlers will be the longer day in championship games. The suggestion is to add half an hour on to each day, with stumps at 7 p.m. The longer the day the more tired quick bowlers become and, therefore, more chance for spin.

Among other proposals for the board is the extension of fielding circles. These were used in the Benson and Hedges Cup last season and the experiment was considered such a success that they may be used in ail one-day games next season.