Hotspots provide the challenge

There is not that much comment flying around regarding the new One Day International regulations that will come into play on the 7th of July, as Australia takes on England in the first of three NatWest Challenge games.

I suspect the reason is that this swift decision by the ICC has caught some people on the hop. Initially though, most have welcomed the move without offering deeper analysis. I certainly support the notion. But now comes the tough part. Captains around the cricketing world will be deep in debate as to how best to execute the changes.

Let’s deal with the fielding restrictions first. As you are aware the fielding restrictive overs have been increased from 15 to 20. The first 10 are of compulsory use and must include 2 catchers as well as only 2 fielders outside the circle. After that, it then becomes the captain’s challenge. He must call for two five over ‘powerplay hotspots’ at anytime of the innings, where he is only permitted 2 fielders outside the circle. The 2 catchers are not obligatory. Now it gets fascinating.

Previously the one-day game was predictable. Now it will be the contrary. One area where I see that a captain may implement the 5 over ‘hotspots’ is when a wicket falls and a batsman takes some time to acclimatize to the conditions and his strike rate suffers. The other of course is when a bowler is exposing a batsman and has the upper hand. “Close ranks” will be the call from the skipper!

This action could bring the second innovation into play. One substitute is allowed per team, per match. Should the batsman under the spotlight who is struggling to maintain or increase momentum continue to do so, the batting captain could call him in and retire him. He will then take no further part in the game. A pinch hitter could instantaneously replace him and scupper the fielding captain’s plans totally, as he launches an airborne assault. Only a couple of scouts in the deep will have their work cut out! As you know, four or five overs of mayhem with freedom could well transform the course of the game.

I expect initially the obvious use of the twelfth player will be to stack the side with an extra spinner if conditions suit or vice versa with a seamer.

Braver and more innovative captains will look deeper.

Roll on July 7th. The One Day game will once again fascinate.