Just watching the cric, and was thinking... it's not related to gambling, but I'm not at all a fan of the recent rule changes for ODI cricket.

I don't see how adding the substitute player leads to a more better game*. It should be 11 vs 11. Bowlers should all bat. Selection strategy is part of the game... used to be.

As for powerplays, I think they could work but they're a bit boring at the moment because no captain (least of all Ponting) is ever going to use them at any time except between overs 11 and 20. So how about giving one to the batting team? The catch is that the batting team must announce when they will use their powerplay at over 15 so they can't exactly plan it for when their power hitters come in.

Here's a new rule to consider. Sometimes the toss is crucial in a series. I mean, I'm pretty sure the Aussies will smash the poms in the ashes next year but if England win 5 tosses then with Australia getting the worst of the conditions each time it might actually be close. A new rule I've been mulling over applies to a series (ODI or test match) between 2 teams: if one team wins 50% of all available coin tosses then all remaining coin tosses go to the other team.

I mean, fair's fair mate - don't you agree?




*me good english speak well