Photo Credit: Twitter Profile Photo of @7polly7
Shaun Pollock, media representative for the ICC’s cricket committee, stated that the governing body is “working on something” to provide bowlers with “a bit more leeway on wides,” particularly as batters frequently move around the crease in limited-overs formats.
Pollock shared his perspective with PTI on the sidelines of the SA20, saying, “If a batter jumps across [at the] last minute, it doesn’t really work out for me. I think a bowler, at the start of his run-up, needs to know where he can bowl it.” He expressed a desire for changes to the current rule, explaining, “The current rule tends to suggest that if he [the batter] moves and it’s that point of delivery where the batter is, and that’s according to where the wide will be called, I want a little bit of a change.”
Pollock emphasized the need for clarity for bowlers: “I want them to know exactly when they’re running up why or how – how can a bowler be expected to change his game plan at the last second when he’s bowling? He needs to have a clear idea where he can go.” He confirmed that discussions are ongoing, adding, “So it’s in the pipeline, we’re all discussing. We need to give a little bit back to the bowlers.”
Under the current ICC playing conditions, a ball is called wide if it “passes wide of where the striker is standing and which also would have passed wide of the striker standing in a normal batting position.” However, it is not considered a wide if the batter’s movement causes the ball to pass wide or brings it within reach for a normal stroke.
In addition, since 2023, players in the IPL and WPL in India have been allowed to review wide calls using the DRS system.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan, Pollock expressed confidence in South Africa’s squad, which includes IPL veterans who are familiar with subcontinent conditions. “You’ve got basically the similar players that were at that [2023 ODI] World Cup, where we got to the semi-final and lost to Australia,” he noted.
He highlighted the experience of players like Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Quinton de Kock, adding that their familiarity with conditions in the region could benefit South Africa. Pollock also noted South Africa’s recent success in the ICC Test Championship and expressed hope for the development of younger players in the Test arena.
Regarding the SA20, South Africa’s premier franchise-based T20 competition, Pollock said it has “gone from strength to strength” since its inception. He praised the addition of initiatives like the Catch 2 Million competition and highlighted the importance of engaging young fans. “South African cricket needed this injection – there’s no doubt about it. They needed something to create a bit of unbelievable interest in the game,” Pollock concluded.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
