'Need at least two matches to get used to new rules' - Tamim

The fourth overall modification in the Powerplay conditions is set to change the mindset of the bowlers and their captains starting with the first ODI between Bangladesh and South Africa at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Friday. There is hope, among the bowlers who will get a first taste of the new rules, of less trouble and fewer runs in the slog overs.

Fielding captains no longer have to worry about the batting Powerplay and close-in fielders in the first ten overs, while bowlers will have extra protection in the last ten overs after the new rules came into effect from July 5. Five fielders are now allowed outside the 30-yard circle in the last ten overs of an ODI innings. Free hits are awarded for all no-balls in ODIs and T20 internationals, not just when bowlers overstep.

South Africa allrounder Ryan McLaren said that bowlers will welcome the changes in the fielding regulations and there will be better strategies for the last ten overs. "Obviously the new rules mean guys have to adapt to not bowling in the Powerplays, and to have that extra fifth fielder in the last ten overs is a bit of a different mindset for the bowlers and something they will welcome, to be honest.

"If you look at the statistics at the World Cup, it was quite easy to see over the last ten overs there were many occasions when it went for more than 100 runs. Surely it showed the batters dominated that facet of the game. From a bowling point of view, it helps to strategise the last ten overs. I don't think it will change the mindset of the batters."

McLaren reckoned that batting sides would try to score at a higher run rate in the first few overs to make up for the extra fielder in the last ten overs. But Tamim Iqbal, the Bangladesh batsman, believed that when five fielders were available previously, it didn't stop teams from going after the bowling in the slog overs.

"I don't entirely agree with what McLaren has to say," Tamim said. "When five fielders used to be outside the circle about three-four years ago, people used to go after the bowling in the last ten overs. It doesn't necessarily mean that we have to start the hitting earlier. It is important to use the fielding restrictions in the first ten overs. If we can give a solid base, there will be runs towards the end. You cannot put up a building without a foundation."

Tamim said that teams would have to adjust quickly to these major rule changes, especially the two that will play the first match under the new regulations. Coincidentally, Bangladesh played the first match when the Powerplay rules were first tweaked in October 2008 and also the first match when the second and third Powerplays started to be used between overs 16 and 40.

"Somehow we end up being one of the first sides to start a new rule," Tamim said. "It is actually a headache for any team. You will have plans to do it this way or that, and sometimes you will do things in the middle which were not in your plans. We will need at least two matches to get used to the new rules.

"We can be mentally prepared to play in a certain way from the 40th to the 50th overs or during the first 20 overs. But it will take time to get used to. When the rule was to have four fielders outside, extra fielder inside, then too everyone was puzzled for the first couple of matches."

Two days after the ICC announced the changes, Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said that unless pitches around the world are made sporting and bats are not regulated, fielding changes won't make much of a difference. He, however, was happy that he had fewer things to worry about as a fielding captain although he said he would still have close-in catchers in the early overs.

"I don't see any reason for bowlers to be so happy," Mashrafe told BDnews24.com on June 28. "It is still a batsman's game. Still, it is better than before. There is some relief for the bowlers. There is no benefit unless wickets are changed. The world over, ODI wickets are purely for batting. There's nothing for the bowlers. Bats are ultra-modern too, making it tougher for bowlers.

"I can't just think about the bowlers being a bowler myself. As a captain I have to think about the batsmen too. Their advantage has reduced. Previously, I used to think a bit more, like who will open the bowling, who will bowl in the batting Powerplay or in the last ten overs. There used to be a lot of calculations. Now there is less to think about. Whether to place a close-in fielder or not, will depend on the situation. I usually want to keep a slip or a close-in fielder."

Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, another bowler who has seen much of the changes in ODI playing regulations since 2005, said that spinners can now think of taking wickets and will be beneficial of the new rules.

"Wicket-taking spinners were getting lost from ODIs," he said. "Everyone had to think about stopping runs. Batsmen used to get mental support with four fielders outside the circle. They didn't hesitate to play shots. The rule change will help the spinners."

The other change is the application of the free-hit for all no-balls. McLaren said that bowlers will have to be extra careful, especially in games where dew is a factor.

"Obviously it is now slightly more challenging. It is something you practice or aim but in these conditions it can be slippery so we need to be aware of it, because it can happen," he said.