Bonus-point system in Sheffield Shield cricket final revamp

CRICKET Australia has changed the laws that dictate the winner of the Sheffield Shield, with the top-placed state no longer guaranteed the title if the final is drawn.

Since the first-class season of 1982-83, the ladder leaders have hosted the final and only needed a draw to lift the silverware.

Four of the past six Shield finals have been drawn, with the hosts generally batting the visitors out of the contest on flat pitches.

CA, wanting to ensure the first-class decider better replicates the pressure of a live Test, will adopt a bonus-point system for the next Shield final. In the event of a drawn final in which at least 270 overs are bowled, the Shield will be awarded to the team that has accrued more first-innings bonus points.

Sides will receive 0.01 bonus points for each run scored above 200 in the first 100 overs of their first innings and 0.1 point for each wicket in the first 100 overs of the oppo- sition’s first innings. The same bonus-point system, which is intended to promote attacking cricket, has been used during the regular season in recent years.

CA’s willingness to experiment with the Shield has been poorly received by some players in the past.

But the players’ union has ticked off the latest change.

Australian Cricketers’ Association representative Brendan Drew sits alongside CA board members Mark Taylor and Michael Kasprowicz on a nine-person rule advisory committee that settled on the new rule.

“Extending the bonus-point system in to the final will assist in making the match the best contest possible,” Drew said.

CA has announced four other rule changes for this summer, including a heat policy for all competitions.

“Historic weather data shows us that this (cancellation or suspension of play) is unlikely for senior domestic cricket,” CA’s head of cricket operations Peter Roach said.