Cricket Rules that ICC Needs to Dump

The rules established by the ICC in international cricket play a vital role in maintaining the integrity and fairness of the game. These rules ensure that the sport is played consistently across the globe, fostering a level playing field for all teams. 

They dictate everything from the dimensions of the pitch to regulations on player conduct and equipment, minimizing potential disputes and misunderstandings.

They also keep the game exciting and competitive, with rules like fielding restrictions and powerplays in limited-overs cricket enhancing the spectator experience. 

In sum, ICC cricket rules are the bedrock of international cricket, upholding its values of fairness, sportsmanship, and excitement.

However, there are some rules which the ICC has created but they don’t make sense. Here is a list of 5 such rules which the ICC should immediately abolish.

Tied Super Over

Tied Super Overs in limited-overs cricket matches is a rule to determine the winner when the main match ends in a tie. This rule has been a subject of debate and controversy among cricket fans and experts.

Tied Super Over relies on the outcome of a single, very short over (usually 6 balls), which can lead to an element of luck or subjectivity in deciding the winner. There is also an argument that a Super Over doesn’t always reflect the true performance of the teams.

Super Overs are often seen as being more favourable to batsmen, as they have a better chance of hitting boundaries. This can be considered unfair to bowlers who may have performed exceptionally well in the main match but have less influence in the Super Over.

Overthrow off the batsman’s bat or body

The rule concerning overthrowing off a batsman’s bat or body in cricket is a point of contention and debate, especially in high-profile matches where its interpretation can have significant implications.

One of the main criticisms is that the batsman often doesn’t have any intent to score extra runs through overthrows.

The ball might accidentally deflect off the batsman’s body or bat, resulting in extra runs, which some argue is unfair to the fielding side. In some situations, batsmen might be tempted to deliberately interfere with the ball’s path to gain extra runs, although this is against the spirit of the game.

Dead-ball rule of DRS

The Decision Review System (DRS) in cricket, which includes the concept of the “Dead-ball rule,” has been a significant addition to the sport in recent years.

The Dead-ball rule in DRS refers to a situation where a ball is declared dead by the on-field umpire, and a decision is subsequently reviewed by the batting or bowling side. The Dead-ball rule can lead to delayed decisions.

If an on-field umpire calls a ball dead and then a review is requested, it can take time to resolve the situation. This can slow down the game and disrupt its flow. Critics argue that the Dead-ball rule can potentially lead to an unfair outcome.

In some cases, the ball may have hit the stumps, and the bails may have been dislodged, but because the on-field umpire called it dead, the batsman is reprieved when the ball-tracking technology shows that the ball would have hit the stumps.

On-field No-Ball

The on-field no-ball rule in cricket, which involves the on-field umpire monitoring and signalling no-balls, has been a fundamental part of the game for decades.

However, it’s important to clarify that the implementation and monitoring of no-balls have evolved, with technology playing a greater role in recent years.

The main argument against the on-field no-ball rule is related to the accuracy of umpire decisions. Umpires may occasionally make errors in judging whether a delivery is a no-ball or not, especially when fast bowlers deliver deliveries at high speeds.

In one-day internationals, two fresh balls are used on each end

The use of two new balls in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), where each end of the pitch starts with a new ball, has been a rule in international cricket for some time.

This rule was introduced to maintain ball integrity and to help pace bowlers get more assistance from the ball.

However, critics argue that the use of two new balls in ODIs reduces the chances of the ball reversing, which is a critical skill for fast bowlers, especially in the latter stages of an innings. This can make ODIs less challenging for bowlers and potentially favour the batsmen.