Images courtesy of ICC

The ICC has released a series of recommendations. I support all of them with minor tweaks.

1) Instagram Handles

“As part of our efforts to make the game more appealing to younger generations, the ICC will be applying for both numbers and Instagram handles to kits from the beginning of the World Test Championship.”

It will be biased to use Instagram handles only as this supports Facebook. Twitter handles should also be included.

2) Twitter Poll

“In further changes ahead of the World Test Championship, the tradition of the coin toss will be replaced by a @Twitter poll, allowing fans at home to decide who bats and bowls!”

This should not be put up on Twitter. Instead, it should be put up on the ICC website and conducted in a similar manner to the “Pulse Poll” in the IPL. There should be a paid number to call or text so that the revenues of the ICC can increase. One vote from these numbers should be counted as two. Ticket holders should be given a minimum of five votes. These votes would increase depending on the price of the tickets.

3) Summer clothing options

“Should the temperature reach 35°C, the ICC’s updated playing conditions will allow all Test players the option to wear shorts.”

Players should be allowed to wear mankinis or bikinis in addition to shorts.

4) On Field Commentators:

“In a move to bring fans even closer to the sport, broadcasters will have the option to position commentators on the field of play behind the slips cordon.”

Commentators should be placed at silly point rather than behind the slips. They should wear head cameras. One of the commentators must be from a free to air radio or web service like Test Match Special.

5) Double Wicket Play

“After taking a catch, the fielding team will be permitted to complete a ‘Double Wicket Play’ by running out the other batsman.”

Law 40 which covers Timed Out should also be applicable.

6) Faults and Aces

“Two minor changes will be made to cricket terminology with no balls and dot balls to henceforth be known as ‘Faults’ and ‘Aces’.”

This seems fine as is.

7) Double Runs

“Runs scored in the evening session of day/night Tests will count double, creating a new and exciting strategic element.”

This should not be restricted to day/night Tests. It should also be extended to situations where a suspension of play happens due to adverse ground, weather or light. This would be decided by the on-field batsmen.

8) World Test Championship

“should teams be level on the World Test Championship table, the first tie-breaking criteria will be ‘Away Runs.’”

Instead of away runs the result should be decided by the number of bowled dismissals as defined by Law 32.

My Additional Recommendation

Mankading should be a separate dismissal instead of being classified as a runout.