MCC opt for more time on 'Finn no-balls'

By Paul Bolton, County Newss Correspondent

The MCC has decided to take more time to consider whether to introduce a law change that would mean a no-ball being called each time a bowler accidentally disturbed the stumps at the non-striker’s end.

The law change is under consideration following England fast bowler Steven Finn’s repeated breaking of the stumps in his delivery stride during the second Test against South Africa at Headingley in August.

Umpires Steve Davis and Rod Tucker appeared to have exceeded their authority when they decided to call dead ball following complaints from South Africa’s openers Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen that Finn’s actions were distracting them.

The England and Wales Cricket Board subsequently issued a reminder to county umpires that there was nothing in the laws that allowed them to call dead ball if the bails on the non-striker’s wickets were dislodged.

But international umpires have adopted a different approach and have allowed Finn to dislodge the bails once without punishment and to call dead ball for each subsequent instance.

The MCC’s laws sub-committee met last month and decided that consideration should be given to making breaking the non-striker’s stumps by the bowler a no-ball.

The MCC’s laws drafting group have now met at Lord’s and, having sought a range of opinion throughout the game, including umpires, it was decided to have further consultation before a meeting next month. A final decision on whether to change the law is expected to be made by the MCC's laws sub-committee in early December.

The International Cricket Council is likely to continue to instruct umpires to call dead ball after the first instance if Finn or any other bowler, breaks the stumps in international cricket, accidentally disturbing the stumps at the non-striker’s end.



Date: 03/10/2012 07:18:00 by Paul Bolton
In: Today | Middlesex | England |