L.B.W. RULE

Evening Star, Issue 21878, 15 November 1934, Page 4

L.B.W. RULE

CHANGE MOOTED IN ENGLAND A cable message from London states that the Advisory County Committee, which is meeting on November 21, will consider a recommendation that the following new rule be tided in the county and other first-class games next season:— “ The striker is out leg-before-wicket if, with any part of his person, except the hand, he intercepts a ball which, in the opinion of the umpire, shall be pitched in a straight line to the striker’s wicket, or shall be pitched on the off side of the wicket and would have hit it.” This rule, if adopted, will mean that the batsman could not be out to a ball breaking from the off, if, in the opinion of the umpire, it would have hit the wicket but for the intervention of some part of the batsman’s body (says the ‘Sporting Globe’). It is a change that has been strongly advocated bv many as a means of doing away with so much of the unsightly pad plav that wo have seen for many vears. Undoubtedly such a rule would force the batsman to use his bat more as a means of defence, and, by compelling him to play the ball, almost certainly make for brighter cricket. At the same time there is strong opposition in many quarters to such a rule, its opponents considering that it would throw too much responsibility on the umpire and lead to many disputed decisions. Also, it is contended that it a batsman could be given out to a ball breaking in from the off he should also be out to one breaking from leg. The suggested change has been advocated in Australia, and Mr A. E. Liddicut the Fitzroy all-rounder, some time ago succeeded in securing the approval of the V.C.A. to it. ' „ Probably the best way to decide the question would be lor the Advisory Committee to agree to a trial of it tor a season to see how it works. It might be a good idea also if the Board ot Control gave it a trial in Australia;