DUBAI – After successfully testing it at close quarters in the Test matches between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the International Cricket Council is set to introduce it in the limited-overs format.
The rule change will come into effect in all international formats whenever Sri Lanka play their next match, giving them the first-mover advantage as the pioneers of the art in cricket.
The ICC confirmed that the rule change has been made in response to the Sri Lanka’s successful display of the art in Tests.
“Most of the changes to the ICC playing conditions are being made as a result of changes to the Laws of Cricket that have been announced by the MCC,” ICC general manager of cricket Geoff Allardice said.
“But we have now also started incorporating the changes to the laws of nature, as exhibited by our Test playing nations.
“We are organising a workshop for umpires and players to ensure they understand the change, and even learn some of it. We are now ready to introduce the new playing conditions to limited-overs matches.”
However, the ICC confirmed that in a bid to “maintain the balance the human and the supernatural “, teams will not be allowed more than two acts of witchcraft per Test session, per ODI innings and one in the T20 innings.
