South African cricket legend Shaun Pollock has revealed that the ICC Cricket Committee is working on modifying the rules regarding wides to provide bowlers with “a bit more leeway,” especially in scenarios where batters make last-minute movements across the crease.
Proposal to Revise Wide Rules Pollock, speaking to PTI during SA20, highlighted the challenges bowlers face with the current regulations, which are stringent on bowlers regardless of batters’ movements.
“I’m working on something. I’m obviously part of the ICC Cricket Committee, and we’re looking to come up with a bit more leeway for the bowlers on wides. I think it’s very strict on them,” Pollock stated.
He emphasized that late movements by batters disrupt the bowlers’ intended line and length, often leading to wides being called unfairly.
“If a batter jumps across at the last minute, it doesn’t really work out for me. A bowler, at the start of his run-up, needs to know where he can bowl it. The current rule tends to suggest that if he 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,” he explained.
Pollock advocated for clarity and fairness for bowlers, suggesting, “How can a bowler be expected to change his game plan at the last second? He needs to have a clear idea where he can go.”
SA20 and Its Growth Pollock praised the rapid development of the SA20 league, comparing its evolution to the Indian Premier League (IPL).
“It’s just gone from strength to strength. Some of the activities at the ground as well, the Catch 2 Million competition this year has been added,” he said. Pollock noted the positive impact the league has had on South African cricket, revitalizing interest in the game.
South Africa’s Prospects in Subcontinent Conditions Pollock expressed optimism about South Africa’s chances in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, citing the experience of South African players in subcontinent conditions through IPL exposure.
“You’ve got basically the similar players that were at that (ODI) World Cup (2023) where we got to the semifinal and lost to Australia. The amount of IPL players, people like Klaasens, Millers, even de Kocks, all those guys who spend so much time over there, getting an understanding for conditions, that can only help South Africa,” he said.
Balancing Franchise Cricket and National Duties Pollock also discussed the rise of T20 leagues worldwide, acknowledging their financial importance to cricket boards. However, he stressed the need for players to prioritize international cricket when possible.
“There’s always cricketers available, so you’re going to be able to create leagues. It’s the moneymaker for a lot of the cricket boards around the world,” Pollock remarked.
He expressed concern over international players opting out of national duties for franchise commitments, saying, “Ideally, I would prefer that they make themselves available for their own international countries as often as possible. But you do understand it’s an earning capacity.”
While Pollock acknowledged players’ financial considerations, he maintained that national representation should take precedence when feasible.
“Hopefully, the balance can be struck to keep the international game strong while allowing players to make the most of their careers,” he concluded.
