Garfield Robinson looks at a number of byelaws and regulations which should be confined to the graveyard of cricket.
And though we have seen frightful short-pitched bowling over the years, Bodyline, as it was conceived prior to England’s 1932-33 tour of Australia, was erased from the game.
The back-foot no-ball rule would have a spot there as well. Laid to rest in 1962, chances of it being resurrected are slim, despite the best efforts of the likes of Bradman and Richie Benaud, while they were still with us and Ian Chappell. Though a number of recent controversial decisions indicate that the call for a return to the old rule is not without merit.
One headstone in this mythical mausoleum ought to be for leg-byes. It is one of the game’s most ludicrous regulations. What could be the justification for penalising the bowler and the fielding side for scoring a moral victory over the batsman by striking his person while he or she attempted to play a shot or tried to take evasive action. It is unfair and law 26, the portion that deals with leg-byes, should be repealed.
Perhaps the nightwatchman tactic should be there, too. Why was it ever a good idea to send in a tailender to protect the recognised batsman with close of play approaching? With opposition bowlers and captain going full tilt knowing they’ll be putting their feet up soon, who is more likely to survive?
One bowling device that might now be wending its way to that place of rest is the doosra, the “other one” – the ball from the off-spinner turning from leg to off. The argument made by a number of experts, including Bishen Bedi and Michael Holding, that it’s extremely
This story is from the September 23, 2016 edition of The Cricket Paper.
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This story is from the September 23, 2016 edition of The Cricket Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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