ICC_MEETING_RULINGS_07JUL94

ICC Meeting Rulings, Lord's

TWO BOUNCER RULE PASSED

ICC chiefs have given the go ahead for Test fast bowlers to deliver a maxiumum of two bouncers per over instead of the current one. A one per over limit has been in operation since 1991 but the new rule will now come into effect from October 1. The ICC has also redefined the wording "intimidatory" with the phrase "likely to inflict physical injury on the striker". Match referees were also urged to take a strict line to stamp out any ball tampering.

ICC decisions at a glance:

* If a player appears for a country in Under 19 internationals it will be 4 years before he will qualify to play Tests for another country, but only 2 years if he was born in the latter country. This was at the behest of Australia, who were annoyed at England snaffling up McCague and White.

* No increase in number of overs bowled per day in Tests. Proposal was put forward for 96 overs.

* The World Cup will be held every four years, rather than the three years decided last year. This means that the next WC will be in Feb-March 1996 in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The one following that will be in England in 1999, and the one after that in SAf in 2003.

* International panel of umpires to continue.

* Majid Khan will replace Imran Khan as the Pakistan delegate.

* Countries will no longer be allowed to hold tournaments of one-day matches involving more than four countries. This is to avoid devaluing the World cup.

* The matches involving Australia A in the WSC will not count as one day internationals.

* If a bowler exceedes the two bouncer per over limit, any subsequent bouncers will be called no ball, and the batting side will be awarded _two_ runs, plus whatever is scored off the bat. (The no ball rule is unchanged for other instances)

* Scotland was accepted as an Associate Member of the ICC.

(Thanks John Hall, Michael Jennings)