Ian Chappell wants bat sizes to be reduced across formats

Former Australia captain turned cricket commentator Ian Chappell has come out in support of the voices demanding a reduction in bat sizes. In a column for EspnCricInfo, Chappell explained his views in relation to the law governing the dimensions of cricket bats. He felt it was encouraging to see a current cricketer (Josh Hazlewood) and a recently retired player (Ricky Ponting) coming out and questioning the issue. However, as opposed to the views of the Hazlewood and Ponting, Chappell feels the change should not only be limited to Tests, it should be universal for all the formats. The shorter versions of the game also need to be a fair contest according to him, unless they are seen as only entertainment. READ: Josh Hazlewood backs Ricky Ponting on banning thick bats from Test cricket

Chappell wrote, “As the improvements in bat-making started to really take hold, it became obvious that they were changing the balance of the game in favour of batsmen. Edges that in the past would have been a catching opportunity for second or third slip were suddenly carrying two-thirds of the way to the boundary. This should have sounded alarm bells for lawmakers.”

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Chappell also reflected on how the mentality regarding field placements changed gradually. But not only that, he analysed how dangerous the situation has become for the bowlers and umpires. “The more recent improvements in willow manufacture mean the ball is now pinging off the bat at such speeds that bowlers and umpires are in grave danger of being seriously injured. When an umpire starts wearing a helmet or a protective shield on his arm, it shouldn’t be difficult to interpret their view. Hopefully it won’t be the gut-wrenching sound of sirens that finally influences officials into changing the law,” he wrote. READ: Ricky Ponting wants modern-day bats to be banned from Test cricket

Chappell stressed on the ‘balance’ aspect of cricket and felt that the situation is currently unfair to the bowlers. “One of the primary duties of cricket’s lawmakers is to maintain a balance – like an evenly weighted pair of scales – between batsmen and bowlers,” he wrote.

Not only that Chappell was also concerned about mishits flying off a batsman’s bat and landing in the crowd as well. He wrote, “A good rule of thumb for lawmakers in maintaining that balance is, the mishits should by and large stay within the field of play. If a bowler is good enough to induce a mishit, there should be a reward; if there’s no fielder in the vicinity, or there is but he drops the catch, then it’s bad planning or bad luck, but a mistimed shot shouldn’t finish in the stands.”

Chappell gave a fine example to sum up what he thought of administrators and fans who crave sixes. He wrote, “Administrators who believe a high proportion of fans crave sixes should consider the motive of those patrons. I liken six-craving fans to guys who frequent an establishment because the waitresses are topless. When another bar opens down the road shortly afterwards, with waitresses who are even more skimpily attired, they quickly shift their patronage.”

The 72-year old hoped that just like Ponting and Hazlewood gave their view of things, it would be more interesting to hear a current batsman to come out and ask for a change in bat sizes across all formats of the game.