Cricket boffins meet to review game's laws

A review of the umpiring decision review system, the format of one-day internationals and floodlight Tests will be key agenda items for the International Cricket Council committee, which will meet at Lord's in London today and tomorrow.

The committee includes players, coaches, match officials, the media, law-makers, and statisticians.
A wide range of other issues, including the use of artificial lights in Test matches, use of runners in international cricket and other potential changes to cricket's laws and playing conditions will also be discussed at the two-day meeting.
The committee is chaired by former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd and is administered by former Proteas wicketkeeper David Richardson, general manager of the ICC. The committee's task is to discuss and consult on playing matters and to make recommendations to the ICC board for approval.
The next meetings of the committee are set for Hong Kong during the ICC's annual conference week, from June 26 to 30.
The committee will review the results of the umpiring review system so far and will discuss the continued application of the system, including its possible use on a permanent basis in ODIs.
The review system, introduced in October 2009 following successful trials in the series between Sri Lanka and India (August 2008), New Zealand and West Indies (December 2008), West Indies and England (February/March 2009) and South Africa and Australia (February/March 2009), has been used in 31 Tests.
It was also used in the Cricket World Cup this year and in seven ODIs between Australia and England, which were played after the Ashes series.
The committee will also consider whether to recommend the use of floodlights in Test matches. It will also consider the use of different colour balls in day/night matches.
Changes to the ODI format are also on the agenda. Split innings, power-play overs, possible use of two new balls per innings and allowing bowlers to bowl more overs than previously permitted will be some of the options that will be considered.
The committee will discuss laws governing the use of runners, bowlers attempting to run out the non-strikers and batsmen obstructing the field while running between the wickets.