MUMBAI – Cricket s world body on Tuesday decided against scrapping thetoss in Test cricket, describing it an integral part of the game.
The International Cricket Council was mulling doing away with the flip ofthe coin during the World Test Championship scheduled to start from July2019 as part of measures to boost the flagging fortunes of the long format.
The ICC cricket committee chaired by Indian spin legend Anil Kumble debatedthe toss among other issues such as player behaviour during their two-daymeeting in Mumbai.
“The committee discussed whether the toss should be automatically awardedto the visiting team but felt that it was an integral part of Test cricketwhich forms part of the narrative of the game,” the ICC said in a statement.
However the committee, which includes cricketing greats like Mike Gatting,Mahela Jayawardene and David Boon, urged members to deliver quality pitchesthat provide a better balance between bat and ball.
It also focused on improving player behaviour and upholding the spirit ofthe game which has been hit by a recent ball-tampering scandal.
The ICC was criticised after it banned Australia skipper Steve Smith foronly one Test over his role in the scandal in South Africa in March inwhich batsman Cameron Bancroft was caught trying to alter the ball.
After a wave of public anger, Cricket Australia later banned Smith and hisdeputy David Warner for 12 months. Bancroft was given a nine-monthsuspension.
“The group felt that excessive personal abuse and ball tampering wereserious offences in the game and that should be reflected in the way inwhich they are dealt with,” Kumble was quoted as saying in the release.
“There was also strong support for giving the match officials moreauthority and subsequently greater support around their decision making,”the former leg-spinner added.
The committee has made a series of recommendations to be shared with thechief executives committee in June before final ratification by the ICCboard. – APP/AFP