England: Counties consider idea of free hits (3 December 1998)

3 December 1998

England: Counties consider idea of free hits

By Peter Deeley

FREE hits for batsmen and a one-day game slimmed to 25 overs are among radical proposals being considered at the Lord's meeting of the England and Wales Cricket Board, which ends today.

In the one-day game the suggestion is that if a bowler bowls a no-ball, the batsman would be allowed a free strike at the next delivery without fear of dismissal. Another suggested innovation is the use of substitutes for injured players.

Ideas for next season include championship changes in the points system and fines for slow over-rates imposed on a match basis. There is also a move to return to days of uncovered pitches, using second eleven matches as the guinea-pig.

The proposals emanating from the board's cricket advisory committee have already been labelled "silly" by one county, for whom a spokesman said: "It all builds up an unfortunate picture of a sport wanting to meddle - just for the sake of change - with matters which have stood the test of time."

Free hits have been used in New Zealand in the SuperMax competition, and backing is likely to come from Surrey. Their chief executive, Paul Sheldon, said: "It will all add to the entertainment value."

Colin Sexstone, chief executive of Gloucestershire, feared its introduction would slow down the pace of one-day cricket. "We already have a high number of no-balls. If we had to allow for another delivery each time there is no knowing when the innings would finish."

Jim Cumbes, Lancashire's chief executive, is enthusiastic about the introduction - possibly in 2000 - of a 25-over game aimed at drawing the young spectator.

"Everyone is keen to widen cricket's interest and, with 'youngsters' being the buzz word at the moment, we are keen on the kind of competition that many schools play in our area: perhaps running it from 5.30 to 8.30pm in the evening."

The meeting is being asked to approve a reduction in points for a championship win from 16 to 12 and four points for a draw instead of the prsent three.

Steve Coverdale, chief executive of Northamptonshire, said his county would have wanted to be "even more radical". He said: "The gap between winning and not winning at the moment is so great that it is one of the main factors in some clubs preparing less than satisfactory pitches last summer."

Graham Thorpe, after four days' rest for his stiff back and an acupuncture session, was one of a handful of England players who turned up for an optional practice at the WACA in Perth yesterday.

Thorpe is hopeful of playing in this weekend's game against Victoria in Melbourne, provided his back stands up to the 3.5-hour flight. It was the effects of the journey from Brisbane to Perth that forced him to withdraw from the second Test.

Thorpe's problem, which requires him to stand up for most plane flights, is thought to be different to the complaint he suffered with last summer, which required surgery and sidelined him for the last couple of months of the season.

A new trophy, a replica of the urn, has been commissioned by the MCC for the Ashes series.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)