BCCI bid to change two white balls rule in ODIs opposed

The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s bid to change the existing rule of using two new white balls in One-Day Internationals encountered opposition from some other member Boards following which the ICC decided that only one ball will be used in a curtailed match.

It is learnt that there was voting among representatives of the 10 Test-playing nations at the ICC Chief Executives Meeting in Dubai and five countries voted in favour of the existing rule of the use of two new white balls from each end.

"There was a voting process and India along with Pakistan, Bangladesh voted against use of two new balls. Australia, New Zealand, England and Zimbabwe were among those in favour of using two new balls while West Indies and South Africa abstained from voting.

“We have expressed our reservations about using of two new balls," BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel said, on Wednesday.

For any change in existing rules, the ICC constitution states that two third of the majority should vote in favour of change to get it implemented. This effectively meant that the BCCI needed the support of six other nations to change the rule.

Seven out of 10 votes would have sealed the issue in BCCI's favour.

The moment the WICB and CSA abstained from voting, it became clear that the existing rule will remain, although for a curtailed ODI of 25 overs or less, one new white ball will be used.

BCCI's reservations over the use of two new balls is because India's spin-heavy attack could be rendered ineffective.

However, the logic that goes against BCCI's fears is that their all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja won the 'Player of the tournament' award bowling his left-arm spin in unfriendly English conditions during the Champions Trophy.

Patel also informed that BCCI, in principle, continued to oppose the controversial Decision Review System and made it clear that it would not use it in any bilateral series.

"We continue to oppose the usage of DRS. We have informed them that BCCI is not ready to accept DRS unless it is foolproof. In any bilateral series involving India, DRS won't be used," Patel stated.

Image: Umpires Tim Robinson and Aleem Dar inspect the ball during the third NatWest Series ODI between England and New Zealand at Trent Bridge on June 5, 2013 in Nottingham, England.

Photograph: Clive Mason/Getty Images