From: rakesh@ecr.mu.oz.au (Rakesh DESAI)
Subject: Re: Rule Changes for West Indies (was Re: West Indies team...)
Organization: Computer Science, University of Melbourne, Australia
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 05:06:07 GMT

In article <1993Jan26.032228.12202@ucc.su.OZ.AU>, mikef@dph1.ucc.su.OZ.AU (Blind Boy Grunt) writes:
> In article <lm88tcINN5oa@news.bbn.com> ckhan@bbn.com writes:
> 
> >With Ambrose bowling the way he his, I think we should have the MCC
> >change the laws so that we can just have Ambrose bowling from both ends
> >and play 10 batsmen!  It's about time there was a rule change FOR the
> >West Indies... 

{some stuff deleted}

> are to the disadvantage of the West Indies. Of course, the one bouncer per
> batsmen per over rule is an example. I doubt that this rule will last very
> long though. It has been rarely enforced this season in Australia and has

I agree.  One bouncer per rule is B***S***.  As David also mentioned
more protective gears are available.  Most of the current cricketers
are wearing so much protective gears, they look like straight out of
Apollo mission from moon. :-}

> the general consensus in the cricket world (commentators, ex-players,
> newspapers, rsc, my friends...) is that it is a silly rule.

I guess most of people will agree that test cricket is not one day
cricket and shouldn't be restricted by unnecessary rules.

> Test cricket. For example, run penalties for failures to bowl the required
> number of overs, increasing the run penalties for no balls (no balls are
> now penalised with 2 runs in Australian domestic matches), and perhaps even
> increased over rates.

> I tend to think that such changes would be beneficial to the game. I do
> believe that spinners need to be brought back into the game, and that this
> can only be done by enforcing over rates. Cricket is just so much more
> interesting when spinners become a significant part of the game. Although,
> adjust and still be a cricketing power. After all, they did produce one the
> game's best spinners in Lance Gibbs.

Enforcing over rates in terms of runs or adding extra runs for No balls
etc will do the same thing which variety of rain rules have created to
one dayers.  Too much restricted and complicated.  Match fee penalties
are alright but too much restriction in test match is not required.
When Australia had very good pace bowling side they used them (i.e.
Lillee-Thomson) and currently Pak has developed good pace bowling
combination still they use a leg spinner.  I wish test cricket should be
left alone so that a country can develop its team based on whatever
strength they have.  And no one can stop a home team to build pitches
which their own bowlers can exploit.

> Unfortunately, as good as the West Indian bowlers are, they are quite
> defensive bowlers, in the sense that they concentrate very much on short of
> a length bowling, unlike the Pakistanis and Australians who pitch the ball
> up a lot more in order to make it swing (and consequently are easier to
> score off). One could of course also argue that the WI batsmen are more
> agressive, which I think is true, nevertheless I think my point is valid.
> While, I certainly wouldn't want to outlaw the former approach, it would 
> be lot easier to endure if it was complemented by some spin bowling.
> Any other thoughts on these matters?

I wouldn't say Ambrose's each delivery comming at your chest defensive.
There is nothing wrong in Ambrose & co. bowling at chest so that batsman
can pop up catch in sleeps or at short leg.  Batting wise I always
thought WI  batsmen were always aggressive.  Yesterday's 146 runs in
less than two sessions is adequate example.  WI batting always had that
air of arrogance throughout past 2 decades atleast.  And why not,when 
after getting bowled out for 146 Richardson can be confident about his
bowlers bowling out Australia, they deserve to be arrogant and
aggressive.

rakesh
> __
> Michael Fahey         | Internet: mikef@dph1.health.su.oz.au
> Dept of Public Health | UUCP: uunet!munnari.oz.au!dph1.health.su!mikef
> University of Sydney  | Bitnet: mikef%dph1.health.su.oz.au@cunyvm.bitnet


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*   Rakesh Desai, Mech & Manf Eng, Uni of Melbourne, Parkville,Vic 3052*
*   email: rakesh@ecr.mu.oz.au *(BH)+61 3 344 6728  +61 3 328 2258(AH) *
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