MCC Cricket Committee proposes ‘Sending off’ to be a law

Some of the other topics discussed were uniformity in bat sizes, ball tampering laws and also law on ball striking the fielder’s helmet, which was proposed to be changed.

The MCC World Committee Meeting met in Mumbai for two days between December 6-7, 2016. There were wide range of topics discussed. But for the very first time, the suggestion to include send off in the laws of the game was brought up. Under this, the player could be sent off the field for any sort of dissent, just like it is in Football (Soccer). This involves threatening an umpire, physically assaulting the umpire, another player or any member of the audience and any act of physical violence on the field. Some of the other topics discussed were uniformity in bat sizes (edges and depths limited to 40mm and 67m respectively), ball tampering laws and also a law in context to helmets.

Regarding helmets, a report in lords.org said, “catches and stumpings will be permitted after the ball has struck a fielder’s worn helmet. Following discussions at all MCC cricket committees, the main Committee will now be asked to approve this change into the new code of the Laws of Cricket. At present, catches and stumpings may be taken off a wicket-keeper’s pads, the use of which is optional, and so it seems unfair that they should not be permitted after hitting a helmet, the wearing of which is often compulsorily at many levels of the game.”

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The committee was however undecided on four-day Tests, but they were in agreement over continuing work towards introducing World Test Championship and also making a case for cricket to be included as an Olympic sport.  If all the decisions are approved, we may see them in play from October 1, 2017, according to the report. . MCC World Cricket Committee Chairman Mike Brearley especially thanked BCCI President Anurag Thakur for attending the conference and also praised him over the issues he brought up during the two-day conference. “It was good for the committee to meet Anurag Thakur and discuss a range of subjects,” Brearley said.

“It was an interesting two-way discussion, which included many good questions from Anurag on the subject of the Laws of the game, which was timely given the nature of our agenda and decisions reached in Mumbai this week,” he added.

Brearley also thanked David Richardson for attending. “David’s input at these meetings is invaluable, and we are grateful for his time and valuable contributions,” he said

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