A rider for Duckworth and Lewis

When 50 Over cricket was invented, the main idea was to play the full quota of overs. But when rain intervened, to keep the spectator interest and satisfy the sponsors, who both pay lavishly to watch the excitement, it necessitated the playing of the game reducing the overs.

In the not too distant past, the cut off point was 25 overs in which a decision had to be reached. If the game could not be played for 25 overs a side, then the match was abandoned.

Prompted by a farce that was enacted during a semi-final of a World Cup game between South Africa and England where rain proved a spoiler with South Africa having to score an impossible 21 runs from 1 delivery, the International Cricket Council introduced what has now come to being the Duckworth and Lewis rule to decide on a decision.

While all countries have accepted Duckworth and Lewis as part and parcel of the game, here is a rider that Duckworth and Lewis would do well to ponder.

Take the Inida- Sri Lanka Commonwealth Bank series game that was rain shortened which necessitated a decision being reached in the game by in 29 overs and when further rain came down a decision had to be reached in 21 getting Duckworth and Lewis to take strike.

When a game is reduced, the runs a side has to make is reduced, so the overs a bowler has to bowl and also the number of fielders allowed inside or outside the ring. Now when the overs are reduced, would it not be an idea to also stipulate the number of batsmen who could bat, like they do by stipulating the overs a bowler is allowed.

When the total overs are reduced and then a bowler's quota is reduced, it would seem unfair to allow the side chasing the full 11 batsmen to strike. So when Duckworth and Lewis next take strike, the rider we offer should not be a bad idea to play with.

When Sri Lanka played India at the Manuka Oval in Canberra int he Commonwealth Bank triangular series, it was crucial that Lanka win the game if they were to keep alive their chances of entering the best of three finals.

The game lost some of its gloss when it became a overs reduced one. But then a win is a win and with this victory the Lankans have kept their heads above water and now remain in the picture which is good for the tournament.

Now all three teams - Australia, India and Sri Lanka have lost a game each. Suffice to say and sum it all thus - Sehwag says Australia is scared of India. If that is so India is scared of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka is sacred of Australia.