OFF SIDE L.B.W. RULE

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1935, Page 12

OFF SIDE L.B.W. RULE

INNOVATION IN CRICKET ADOPTION BY TARANAKI The new l.b.w. rule adopted by the M.C.C. for cricket in England last season has not hitherto concerned Taranaki cricketers other than as an interesting experiment and it has been generally considered that it would not be adopted in New Zealand. The recent announcement by the New Zealand Cricket Council that the “off side rule” would be in force for all Pluhket Shield matches and in matches against the visiting M.C.C. team and the council’s request that affiliated associations should use the rule in all first grade matches have aroused keen discussion as to the correct interpretation of the law. As it is understood that the rule will be adopted in Taranaki the following explanation written by Mr. V. Y. Richardson, the Australian cricketer and South Australian captain, for the Adelaide Chrbnicle will be of interest. Mr. Richardson says:

“The official wording of the new leg-before-wicket rule under which games were played in England last season wa s:—The striker is out if with any'pai*t of his person (except his hands), which is situated between wicket and wicket, lie intercepts a ball, which, in the opinion of the umpire at the bowler’s end, is pitched in a straight line from the bowler's wicket to the stoker’s wicket, or is pitched on the off side of the striker’s wicket, and would have hit it, “In effect, the position now is that the old rule will still obtain, with the addition that the batsman is out to any ball which is pitched outside the off stump and changes its direction so that, if it had not been obstructed by any part of the batsman’s person, which is in line from wicket to wicket, would, in the opinion of the umpire, have hit the wicket. The following types of de? liveries can now obtain a leg-before decision, in addition to those .under the old rule:— “A ball delivered by a bowler bowling from wide out towards the limit of the crease which pitches outside the off stump and continues in a direction towards the wicket and would have hit it. “A ball, swinging from the off towards the wicket, which pitches outside the off stump and continues its direction towards the stumps and would have hit them. “A ball, known as an off break, which, pitching optside the off stump, turns towards the stumps and would have hit them.

“Of course, as stated above, the part of the. batsman’s person which obstructs the ball must be in ■ line from wicket to wicket. A decision in favour of the bowler cannot be obtained if the batsman obstructs the ball with part of his body which is outside the off stump. “No alteration has been made for any ball which pitches on the leg side of the leg stump, and many will wonder why the alteration has not extended thus far. The change has been made necessary through batshien moving over in front of the wicket and deliberately stopping a ball pitched outside the off stump with the pads. As a batsman must stand somewhere in taking up his position, the stopping of a ball with the pads on the leg side is usually unavoidable and great hardship would re-, suit if the new ruling extended to that side of the stumps.” The North Taranaki division has agreed to the council’s request and it is likely that South Taranaki will also do, so.