No discussion on DRS, 5-run penalty if ball is changed

The BCCI again had its way as there was no specific discussions during ICC Cricket Committee Meeting on uniform implementation of DRS but recent ball change controversy during Champions Trophy in England prompted the parent body to take some strong measures.

"There was no specific discussions on the DRS issue," an ICC official said.

However the recent incident where umpire Aleem Dar changed the ball during an ICC Champions Trophy match between England and Sri Lanka when the home team was bowling might have prompted the Cricket Committee to recommend some strong measures including five-run penalty to batting team.

The committee has also recommended that bowling captain should be reported under ICC's Code of Conduct while the batsmen would have the prerogative of choosing the replacement ball.

As per press release, "The formal introduction of a two-step process when the umpire believes the condition of the ball has been changed, but there is no eyewitness to identify which player changed the condition of the ball:

i) Replace the ball and give the captain a first and final warning

ii) award a five-run penalty to the batting team, replace the ball (with the batsman to choose) and report the captain under the ICC Code of Conduct."

Some of the other recommendations include: "TV Umpire review of a No ball on the fall of a wicket can now include waist-high full tosses and bouncers above shoulder height."

The final recommendation is introduction of 'Zing Wickets' (with flashing LEDs in the bails and stumps) are approved for use in ODI and T20I matches, subject to an independent assessment of the technology being received by the ICC.

The new ICC Playing Conditions will come into effect from 1 October 2013.

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