Finn problems lead to new no-ball rule
The sight of England fast bowler Steven Finn knocking over the stumps
in his delivery stride has led MCC to draw up a new no-ball rule that
will take effect in October, it was announced Thursday.
From October 1, if the bowler breaks the stumps at his end during the
act of delivery, a no-ball will be called and signalled by the umpire
said a statement issued by Lord's based Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC),
which still retains worldwide responsibility for cricket's Laws.
At present, there is no specific provision for what officials ought
to do when this happens, although the Laws allow the umpire to call and
signal 'dead ball' if the on-strike batsman is distracted.
Finn has already been denied two international wickets, when the
umpire has ruled 'dead ball' rather than raise his finger after the
Middlesex paceman disturbed the bails with a kink in his knee as he
approached the stumps. The issue first came to light when Finn knocked
over the stumps during last year's second Test between England and South
Africa at Headingley.
MCC's Laws sub-committee -- which includes Australian former
international umpire Simon Taufel and International Cricket Council (ICC)
chief executive David Richardson -- discussed the issue and upon their
recommendation the full MCC committee approved the law change during a
meeting on Wednesday. afp |