SPORTS

Heath Streak wants rule changes

January 10, 2004 10:41 IST
Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak believes the rules of one-day matches should be changed to make the game more exciting.

A veteran of 170 limited-overs internationals, Streak said on Saturday that the sport's officials could reinvigorate the game with a few simple adjustments.

Under current laws, teams must abide by strict fielding regulations for the first 15 overs of the match, placing at least two fieldsmen in catching positions and allowing just two outside an inner circle.

The rule allows the batting team to make a flying start but Heath says the game invariably loses interest until the usual late flurry in the final few overs.

"One day cricket is a fantastic advert for the game but there is a risk that unless a tight finish is involved, the game can be predictable for players and fans," he said in a statement.

"With 11 countries playing limited overs internationals there is plenty of scope to experiment with some fresh thinking.

"Cricket

needs to find a way of keeping itself attractive and interesting."

Streak, whose team made the second stage of last year's World Cup, said the best way to improve the game was by changing the rules on fielding restrictions.

"As a captain, I'd support the idea of being able to change the current fielding restrictions from the first 15 overs of a match, when you have to have two catchers and only two fielders outside of the circle," he said.

"If I could use the 15 overs in blocks of say five overs each, it would allow me to experiment more with my bowlers and have new options to try in the field.

"Test cricket should always be there as the purest form of the game, but one day internationals provide the perfect opportunity for some creative thinking."

The Zimbabweans are currently in Australia for a triangular one-day series with Australia and India. They play Australia in Sydney on Sunday.

Source: REUTERS
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