Test-playing nations will be "encouraged to find opportunities to compete in day/night matches" by the Int'l Cricket Council, according to the PA. While one-day and Twenty20 internationals have been "played into the night under floodlights, the longest format of the game has been exclusively limited to during the day." Playing into the night with a pink ball "has been mooted for some time though," and it may have moved a step further toward "becoming a reality" after the ICC Cricket Committee met over the weekend in Mumbai to discuss a number of issues. The ICC's governing body said in a statement, "There will be a strong recommendation from the Cricket Committee to member countries that they should identify opportunities to play Test matches that extend into the evening hours" (PA, 5/18). In London, Richard Hobson reported a "raft of changes to improve the lot of bowlers" is likely after batsmen "dominated the World Cup earlier in the
year." The cricket experts "want to remove the batting powerplay and switch back from
four to five fielders allowed outside the circle between the 41st and 50th
overs." The stipulation on two compulsory close catchers in the first 10
overs "may also be scrapped." While the ICC "will not introduce a regulation about the size of bats," it will
offer views to Marylebone Cricket Club, which is due to redraft the Laws of Cricket in '17. There is concern that technology has made the "sweet spot" of bats too big
by "altering the balance of weight in the willow." Int'l venues will be reminded that boundaries "should be set to the
maximum size, and ball manfacturers will be consulted to see whether the size and durability of the white-ball seam can be altered to give more help
to bowlers" (LONDON TIMES, 5/18).
