New Cricket rules for the remaining ashes fixtures
Following the crushing defeat of Australia, the International Cricket Council has imposed a new set of rules for the remaining Ashes fixtures
1) As a result, Australia has been granted an automatic wickie, freeing up wicket keeper Brad Haddin to defend the boundary. Under the rule, English batsmen will be deemed out "caught behind" if the ball nicks their bat and lands in the immediate area behind the wicket.
The rule is a compromise from the original Australian proposal which had pushed for automatic slips as well. The ICC refused that request on the grounds that "someone has to go and get the ball when an Englishman misses it."
2) In addition, England is under strict "tip and run" restrictions which require they take a run off every ball they hit. Rickie Pontin was happy to accept this, as it meant no change to his current game plan. As a compromise, it was agreed that the English will also have to shout out the word "wickets" when completing a run to make run out decisions by
umpires easier.
3) English Batsman Kevin Pieterson has "six and out" restrictions imposed on him. As well, following complaints from Australian fielders, Pieterson will have to get the ball if it goes
across the road.
4) Instead of using a bat, Cook will now be obliged to use his arm with his jumper wrapped around it.
5) New rules for Australia include "one hand, one bounce" while they are fielding, and the provision of "last man carries" when they are batting.
6) The Australians tried to extend the "can't get out first ball" provision to "can't get out first ten overs", but the ICC proclaimed that the extra runs gained would hardly be worth the effort. English captain Strauss has vigorously opposed the "last man carries"
rule and has launched an appeal. Strauss says England will only agree to the rule if there
are electric wickets at the end, allowing English fielders to throw to
the stumps at either end.
7) A spokesperson for the ICC also announced that following a series of ducks ducks "from now on Ryan Harris can't get out for a duck".
The Australian medium pace bowler will also be allowed to wrap the ball's seam with electrical tape when he's bowling in the second innings.
9) The spokesperson added there will be "no LBW for Australian batsmen unless "it is really, really obvious."
10) Greame Swann has conceded that its "fair enough" that he has to ,bowl underarm (but not molly grubbers) to the Australian tail end.
11), England are firm favourites for the remainder of the Ashes Series, paying $0.22, while an Australian win is currently paying $1.3 trillion.
icon_smile.gif
