RECOMMENDATIONS

TIMER

A timer, to be shown on the scoreboard, to count down from 45 seconds from the call of “Over”. (This would be increased to 60 seconds for a new batsman on strike and 80 seconds for a change of bowler). If either side is not ready to play when the clock reaches zero, they would receive a warning, with further infringements in that innings resulting in five Penalty runs being awarded to the opposition.

A similar timer to be used at the fall of wickets, potentially with variable times, depending on the distance from the dressing rooms to the pitch, and at drinks breaks.

STANDARD BALL

Another major recommendation was using a standard ball in the World Test Championship which will begin after the World Cup in May-July. At the moment, SG ball is used in India, Dukes in England and West Indies, and Kookaburra in other countries including Australia and South Africa. Players have expressed their ball preference in recent times, including Virat Kohli and premier off-spinner R. Ashwin, who gave his approval for the red Dukes.

FREE HITS IN TESTS

The Committee also suggested that free hits be introduced after no balls in Tests. “The system is used in the white-ball formats and the added deterrent results in there being fewer no balls than in Tests. For example, England recently had a spell of 45 ODIs without bowling a no ball, yet they bowled eleven in the three Tests against the West Indies. “The system would not only be exciting for crowds when there was a Free Hit, but also it would help to speed up over rates,” the MCC statement added.