New cricket law to eliminate athletic boundary-line catching

LONDON - Athletic boundary-line catching and run-saving in cricket have become harder under one of eight minor changes to the rules of cricket, which took effect from October 1.

According to a decision by the Marylebone Cricket Club, the custodian of the laws of the game, players attempting to catch a ball destined to travel over the boundary rope can no longer run and jump for the ball from behind the boundary.

“The MCC has introduced changes aimed at providing more fairness to both sides and reducing the amount of playing time lost,” The Age quoted a MCC statement, as saying.

The other changes include an umpire being required to attend the pre-match toss, and the winning captain having to decide whether to bat or bowl immediately.

The MCC has also reduced the number of warnings given to batsmen for damaging the pitch from two to one before penalty runs are issued.

They also banned bowlers from warming up by bowling the ball into the ground to a team-mate. (ANI)